Ribociclib — CDK4/6 Inhibitor Used in Breast Cancer Treatment


What is Ribociclib?

  • An orally administered cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor.

  • Brand name: Kisqali.

  • Used in treatment of certain forms of HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer.

  • Works by inhibiting CDK4 and CDK6, thereby interfering with progression of the cell cycle.

  • It is therefore a targeted cancer therapy.

Mechanism

CDK4/6 inhibition → reduced phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein → inhibition of G1-to-S phase progression → reduced cancer-cell proliferation.

Important Current-Affairs Point

Ribociclib has featured in discussions around treatment of early-stage breast cancer and comparisons among CDK4/6 inhibitors.

Prelims Pointers

  • Ribociclib → CDK4/6 inhibitor.

  • Disease association → breast cancer.

  • It is not an antibiotic or vaccine.