Dr. Jain on the Benefit of CDK7 Inhibitors in HR+ Breast Cancers

Amit Jain, MD, fellow, Hematology and Oncology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, discusses the benefit of CDK7 inhibitors in hormone receptor (HR)–positive breast cancers.

CDK7 inhibitors are addressing an area of need for patients with HR-positive breast cancer who progress following first-line therapy, since beneficial second-line options are scarce, Jain says. Most of the options currently available in the second line, including chemotherapy, mTOR inhibitors, and PI3K inhbitors, are associated with severe toxicity and subpar efficacy, Jain explains. Although hormone therapies are well tolerated, they lack efficacy, Jain adds.

A phase 1/2 trial (NCT03363893) investigating samuraciclib, a CDK7 inhibitor, in combination with fulvestrant (Faslodex) produced positive data, Jain notes. If larger phase 3 studies can also demonstrate the benefit of CDK7 inhibitors in patients with HR-positive breast cancer, they could become the standard of care in the second line, Jain concludes.