Expanding control of the tumor cell cycle with a CDK2/4/6 inhibitor

Abstract

The CDK4/6 inhibitor, palbociclib (PAL), significantly improves progression-free survival in HR⁺/HER2^- breast cancer when combined with anti-hormonals. We sought to discover PAL resistance mechanisms in preclinical models and through analysis of clinical transcriptome specimens, which coalesced on induction of MYC oncogene and Cyclin E/CDK2 activity. We propose that targeting the G₁ kinases CDK2, CDK4, and CDK6 with a small-molecule overcomes resistance to CDK4/6 inhibition. We describe the pharmacodynamics and efficacy of PF-06873600 (PF3600), a pyridopyrimidine with potent inhibition of CDK2/4/6 activity and efficacy in multiple in vivo tumor models. Together with the clinical analysis, MYC activity predicts (PF3600) efficacy across multiple cell lineages. Finally, we find that CDK2/4/6 inhibition does not compromise tumor-specific immune checkpoint blockade responses in syngeneic models. We anticipate that (PF3600), currently in phase 1 clinical trials, offers a therapeutic option to cancer patients in whom CDK4/6 inhibition is insufficient to alter disease progression.

Keywords: CCNE1; CDK2; CDK4; CDK6; MYC; cell cycle; hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer; innate immune response; palbociclib; therapy resistance.