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Description

Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors, such as abemaciclib, are approved for hormone receptor–positive (HR+) breast cancer, where they inhibit tumor cell cycle progression. While their antiproliferative effects are established, less is known about how they may reflect molecular changes and using cfDNA as a biomarker of treatment response. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of abemaciclib on breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro and characterize cfDNA released during treatment using next-generation sequencing. Abemaciclib treatment significantly reduced cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. cfDNA release correlated with treatment intensity, and sequencing revealed upregulation of a gene in p21 pathway, which aides in cell cycle arrest. These findings suggest that abemaciclib arrests cells during cell cycle between G1 and S phase but also can be characterized through biomarkers in cfDNA released. This study supports the potential of cfDNA as a dynamic biomarker of treatment response in HR+ breast cancer. Ongoing analysis will further determine whether cfDNA features can reliably reflect therapeutic efficacy and resistance during CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy.

Publication Date

6-1-2025

Document Type

Poster

City

Grand Forks, ND

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Comments

Presented at the Spring 2025 Arts & Sciences UNDergraduate Showcase in Grand Forks, ND, May 8, 2025.

In Vitro Analysis of Abemaciclib Treatment on Epithelial Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and Sequencing of cfDNA Released

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