abemaciclibiin

Abemaciclib is a medication that is used in the treatment of certain types of breast cancer. It is a type of kinase inhibitor, which means that it works by blocking the activity of enzymes known as kinases that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Abemaciclib was discovered and developed by Eli Lilly and Company and was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2017. It is typically used in combination with other medications, such as hormone therapy, to treat patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer.

The mechanism of action of abemaciclib involves the inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases, such as CDK4 and CDK6, which are enzymes that play a key role in promoting the growth and division of cells. By blocking the activity of these kinases, abemaciclib prevents the progression of cancer cells through the cell cycle, effectively slowing down the growth of the tumor.

Clinical trials have shown that abemaciclib can improve progression-free survival in patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer. Specifically, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the combination of abemaciclib and fulvestrant significantly improved progression-free survival compared to fulvestrant alone.

As with all medications, abemaciclib can cause side effects, including fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. It is also contraindicated in patients with certain medical conditions, such as severe liver disease.