1. < Breast Cancer

Anyone taking cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors?

Posted by llthomson @llthomson, Nov 19, 2024

I am a very active 72 and have been in very good health (other than osteoporosis) until the diagnose of stage III ICL end of last year. I have been taking Anastrozole for the last 10 months and am having increased joint stillness. I had a lumpectomy and am going through radiation therapy. CDK 4/5 inhibitors are on the table. I am not sure of the side effects and benefits for ILC cases like me.
Can you say how old you are are what was your diagnosis?

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cw2024 | @cw2024 | Dec 3, 2024
In reply to @pbnew "When an oncologist or any Dr says a drug is very effective the patient must ask..." + (show)
@pbnew

When an oncologist or any Dr says a drug is very effective the patient must ask for details. Specific outcomes that cause the Dr to consider it very effective. Oncologists set a very low bar for these drugs.

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I did ask for details from my oncologist. That is a patient's right. I also have a friend who is in Stage 4 and who has been taking it for a year. I inquired about side effects. effectivity etc I also read up about Ribociclib in credible breast cancer sites before I agreed to take it. I wanted to find out its advantages over that of a regular chemo infusion.

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llthomson | @llthomson | Jan 31 10:18am
In reply to @colleenyoung "@llthomson, you were asking about others who have experience with CDK4/6 inhibitors, a class of medicines..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@llthomson, you were asking about others who have experience with CDK4/6 inhibitors, a class of medicines used to treat certain types of hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, like Ibrance (palbociclib), Kisqali (ribociclib), and Verzenio (abemaciclib).

I pulled your posts into a new discussion to invite conversation among members with experience with these drugs like @ampeltekian @californiazebra @sallymayo22 @eku @hockeymom25 @elizm @trivia @pampurr @meme5 @canderson5 @slapshotmary @lynelyn @mjwhearts22 @jbp and many others here.

@llthomson, has a CDK4/6 inhibitor been added to your treatment plan? How are you doing?

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I am doing ok. Thank you for asking. I decided to go on Verzenio because of my possible recurrence/spread of cancer. I chose Verzenio because I did not want to risk heart issues. I asked for the lowest dosage (50 mg) to minimize side effects. I was told that the lower dosage is effective. I take 50 mg twice daily. I will be on my third month next week. I had one episode of diarrhea in the beginning, but none since. I have noticed hair thinning...taking lots of supplements for that. I am pre diabetes so I am careful in eating healthy - lots of vegetables, no processed food, no fried greasy food, no sugar. I have osteoporosis so I am also exercising to manage that and the joint stiffness. My recent bone scan showed minimal bone loss with some improvements. Thankful for the new law that was passed this year, my max copay for Medicare drugs is $2000/yr. I started the drug last year and copay for just one month was more than $3000! I know that it is still early stages in terms of the medications, but I am hoping that I could maintain this and continue dancing which I love.

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1 reply
texas5 | @texas5 | Feb 1 9:15am
In reply to @llthomson "I am doing ok. Thank you for asking. I decided to go on Verzenio because of..." + (show)
@llthomson

I am doing ok. Thank you for asking. I decided to go on Verzenio because of my possible recurrence/spread of cancer. I chose Verzenio because I did not want to risk heart issues. I asked for the lowest dosage (50 mg) to minimize side effects. I was told that the lower dosage is effective. I take 50 mg twice daily. I will be on my third month next week. I had one episode of diarrhea in the beginning, but none since. I have noticed hair thinning...taking lots of supplements for that. I am pre diabetes so I am careful in eating healthy - lots of vegetables, no processed food, no fried greasy food, no sugar. I have osteoporosis so I am also exercising to manage that and the joint stiffness. My recent bone scan showed minimal bone loss with some improvements. Thankful for the new law that was passed this year, my max copay for Medicare drugs is $2000/yr. I started the drug last year and copay for just one month was more than $3000! I know that it is still early stages in terms of the medications, but I am hoping that I could maintain this and continue dancing which I love.

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Glad you are doing well on Verzenio.
You indicated you went on starting due to the possibility of reoccurrence?
Recommended by MO?
Were you Hr2 low?

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llthomson | @llthomson | Feb 2 10:20am

My cancer was large 60mm. My OncotypeDX was 30. Since I declined chemo, my oncologist recommended adding verzenio to anastrozole. to mitigate recurrence.

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celera | @celera | Feb 3 12:33pm

i have stage 4 metastasis to spine. Have been on Verzenio for about six months. I have had minimal issues. Diarrhea sometimes but less often as time goes on. When I will be away from home for long (e.g. I attended a wedding) I take some Immodium as a precaution. It's been manageable.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 14 8:53pm
In reply to @celera "i have stage 4 metastasis to spine. Have been on Verzenio for about six months. I..." + (show)
@celera

i have stage 4 metastasis to spine. Have been on Verzenio for about six months. I have had minimal issues. Diarrhea sometimes but less often as time goes on. When I will be away from home for long (e.g. I attended a wedding) I take some Immodium as a precaution. It's been manageable.

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@celera, very helpful. And welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

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