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.
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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?
Head-to-head trials comparing Verzenio to Ibrance have not been conducted. However, one is currently underway with results expected in 2023. Verzenio is taken twice daily, every day. Ibrance is taken every day for 21 days followed by a 7-day break. Verzenio can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other treatments. Ibrance is always taken in combination with either an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant. Verzenio is more likely than Ibrance to cause severe diarrhea. Both Verzenio and Ibrance can be used as combination treatment to treat breast cancer in men. Verzenio is also approved to treat adults with early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence in combination with endocrine treatment (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor). Continue reading
Can you take Verzenio after Ibrance fails?
Both Verzenio and Ibrance belong to the same class of medicine, called CDK 4/6 inhibitors, therefore, because they are both in the same class of medicines, clinically, it is unknown if there is an advantage in switching from one to another if one fails. However, research has shown breast cancer cells can acquire resistance to CDK 4/6 inhibitors by producing higher amounts of CDK6. Laboratory trials have shown that a “treatment holiday” of 28 days reversed this resistance, which implies that there may be some benefit of either stopping Ibrance temporarily or switching from Ibrance to Verzenio after a treatment break. Comparative trials comparing Verzenio to Ibrance are currently underway with results expected in 2023. 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)
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