Is Verzenio (abemaciclib) a chemo drug?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on March 20, 2023.

Official answer

by drugclasses.com

Verzenio is considered a targeted treatment, rather than being a chemo drug, but it may be used to treat certain types of breast cancer.
Verzenio belongs to the class of medicines known as CDK 4/6 inhibitors which help to reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a targeted treatment that helps to reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. It may be used in combination with endocrine therapy (ET) to treat adults with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR+ HER2-), node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence, or those with advanced HR+ HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

How does Verzenio work?

Verzenio belongs to the class of medicines known as CDK4/6 inhibitors.

CDK4/6 inhibitors, such as Verzenio, target particular enzymes, called CDK4 and CDK6. CDK stands for cyclin-dependent kinase, and it is an enzyme that is important for cell division. CDK4/6 inhibitors interrupt signals that stimulate the growth of cancerous cells.

Certain cancers, for example, HR+ HER2- breast cancer, are more likely to have disturbances in CDK4/6, and CDK 4/6 inhibitors may form part of the treatment protocol. Most often, CDK4/6 inhibitors are given at the same time as hormonal therapy (such as an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant), although Verzenio may be used alone to treat HR+ HER2- metastatic breast cancer in pre-treated patients.

Research suggests CDK4/6 inhibitors may increase the time people have before cancer spreads. More evidence is needed to determine their impact on overall survival.

Common side effects include fatigue and gastrointestinal disturbances, such as nausea, severe diarrhea, and vomiting. Bone marrow suppression resulting in neutropenia and leukopenia may also occur, although anemia and thrombocytopenia are less common. In general, the side effects associated with CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy are less severe than those experienced with chemotherapy.

How long does it take Verzenio to work?

Although Verzenio starts inhibiting CDK4/6 enzymes quickly, it may take up two to four months before any change in outcomes, such as progression-free survival, are noted. Side effects, such as diarrhea usually occur within the first week or month of treatment. Verzenio reaches consistent blood levels within five days of taking it twice a day.

How effective is Verzenio?

Trials have indicated that Verzenio plus endocrine therapy (ET) is more effective than ET alone at decreasing the risk of breast cancer recurrence and death by improving rates of invasive disease-free survival (IDFS). 4-year data from the monarchE trial showed 85.5% of patients remained recurrence-free after 4 years compared to 78.6% of those assigned ET alone (an absolute difference of 6.9%). Verzenio plus ET reduces the risk of recurrence by 35% compared to ET alone. Continue reading

What type of drug is Verzenio?

Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a small molecule drug and kinase inhibitor used to treat patients with early breast cancer, and advanced or metastatic breast cancer. It 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). Continue reading

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