In brief
Researchers at the Garvan Institute examined over 400 estrogen‑positive breast cancer biopsies and found that higher activity of the CDK1 protein correlates with more aggressive disease and poorer outcomes. The findings, published in Advanced Science, imply that CDK1 could serve as a biomarker for selecting patients who may not benefit from CDK4/6 inhibitors, though larger trials are needed to confirm its predictive power.
A study released on Friday by Australia’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research, reported by Xinhua, shows that the activity of the CDK1 protein may help doctors predict which estrogen receptor‑positive breast cancers will respond to CDK4/6 inhibitors, a common targeted therapy.
The research examined more than 400 biopsy samples from patients with ER+ breast cancer and found that higher CDK1 activity was associated with more aggressive tumors and worse clinical outcomes.
CDK4/6 inhibitors, often used alongside hormone therapy, stop cancer cells from dividing but eventually lose effectiveness in many patients. Identifying a biomarker that predicts resistance could enable more personalized treatment plans and spare patients from ineffective drugs.
The Garvan investigators note that their findings need to be tested in larger, prospectively treated cohorts to confirm whether CDK1 activity truly forecasts response to CDK4/6 inhibitors.
While the study opens the possibility of new therapies targeting CDK1, it also highlights the need for further trials before the biomarker can be incorporated into clinical decision making.
