CDK 4/6 Inhibitors in Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Selina Chen-Kiang, PhD, professor of pathology and immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, discusses the use of CDK 4/6 inhibitors in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Chen-Kiang says that targeting tumor cells in lymphoid malignancies offers a unique advantage over solid tumors, as the cells can be purified in real time. Investigators are attempting to better target CDK 4 in patients with MCL with combination therapy. Chen-Kiang says that one of the big questions is differentiating who will respond to therapy with CDK 4/6 inhibitors and who will not.

The oral, specific CDK 4/6 inhibitor palbociclib (Ibrance) has already demonstrated cytotoxicity against the mutated BTKC481S protein. Studies have shown that adding palbociclib to ibrutinib could help deepen the response seen with ibrutinib through dual CDK 4/6 and BTK inhibition in MCL.