Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors plus aromatase inhibitor in first-line treatment hormone-receptor–positive/HER2-negative advanced breast cancer women with or without visceral disease: time to turn page?

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors plus aromatase inhibitor in first-line treatment hormone-receptor–positive/HER2-negative advanced breast cancer women with or without visceral disease: time to turn page?: Breast cancer is the most common female tumour type and accounts for the leading cancer mortality in women worldwide. Up to 75% of breast cancers express the oestrogen receptor or progesterone receptor (hormone-receptor–positive). Aromatase inhibitors were the preferred first-line treatment option. New and acquired resistance to hormonal blockade has led to the development of targeted treatments. Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are a large family of serine–threonine kinases that play an important role in regulating cell cycle progression: palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib. We conducted a study to evaluate the efficacy of CDK inhibitors (CDKi) plus aromatase inhibitor in hormone-receptor–positive/HER2-negative ABC patients with visceral disease, postponing the use of chemotherapeutic agents and strengthening the power of endocrine agents. We enrolled 22 patients treated with CDKi (palbocilib) plus aromatase inhibitor (group A) and 38 patients treated with chemotherapy (group B). Our small study confirms the effectiveness of treatment with CDKi plus aromatase inhibitor, even in patients with visceral metastases, when compared with chemotherapy.