What type of drug is Verzenio?
Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a small molecule drug and kinase inhibitor used in the treatment of both early breast cancer, and advanced or metastatic (cancer that has spread) breast cancer. Verzenio is used to treat both men and women.
Verzenio is an ATP-competitive inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK 4 and CDK6).
Verzenio is used to treat:
- Early breast cancer in patients at high risk of it coming back who have hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive cancer. Verzenio is used in combination with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) in these patients.
- Breast cancer that has worsened or spread to other parts of the body in:
- Patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative cancer. Verzenio is used in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as a first-line endocrine-based therapy in these patients.
- Patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative cancer that has progressed after endocrine therapy. Verzenio is used in combination with fulvestrant (Faslodex) in these patients.
- Patients with HR-positive, HER2-negative cancer who have experienced disease progression after endocrine therapy and prior chemotherapy. Verzenio is used alone (monotherapy) in these patients.
References
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Verzenio. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/208716s010s011lbl.pdf [Accessed March 20, 2023].
- Gelbert LM, Cai S, Lin X, et al. Preclinical characterization of the CDK4/6 inhibitor LY2835219: in-vivo cell cycle-dependent/independent anti-tumor activities alone/in combination with gemcitabine. Invest New Drugs. 2014;32(5):825-837. doi:10.1007/s10637-014-0120-7.
Read next
How long do you take Verzenio for?
You will typically continue your Verzenio treatment until you have unacceptable side effects or the disease progresses. Do not stop taking your medicine or change your dose unless your doctor tells you to. Take Verzenio exactly as prescribed. Continue reading
Is Verzenio better than Ibrance?
Verzenio may be more effective than Ibrance in certain HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer patients but it does not seem to be as well tolerated. Clinical trials have shown more people stop Verzenio treatment due to gastrointestinal side effects, such as diarrhea, when compared with Ibrance. Ibrance appears more likely than Verzenio to cause Grade 3 to 4 neutropenia. Continue reading
Can you take Verzenio after Ibrance fails?
Although guidelines do not currently recommend it, using Verzenio after Ibrance is common in clinical practice. A recent clinical trial published in the Journal of Oncology also reported patients were more likely to live for longer without their breast cancer getting worse if they were given Verzenio + fulvestrant after previous CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment (such as Ibrance + endocrine therapy). Continue reading
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Drug information
- Verzenio Information for Consumers
- Verzenio prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Verzenio (detailed)
- Verzenio user reviews (29)
Related support groups
- Verzenio (9 questions, 15 members)
- Breast Cancer (127 questions, 310 members)