CDK4/6 inhibition sensitizes breast cancer to NK cell therapy by inducing immune-interactive surface proteins
studies using ER+ PDX models revealed that a brief seven-day primer treatment with the CDK4/6 inhibitor abemaciclib was sufficient to sensitize tumors to NK cell therapy, significantly inhibiting tumor growth and prolonging survival. We also observed efficacy with a concurrent dosing strategy that delayed the onset of acquired resistance. These findings provide a mechanistic rationale for combining CDK4/6 inhibitors with NK cell therapy. This "prime and kill" approach offers a promising strategy to overcome therapeutic resistance and improve outcomes for patients with metastatic ER+ breast cancer.
Authors
- Vijaya Bharti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0970-6988)
- Y WANG
- Arjun Mittra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9572-3495)
- Aharon G. Freud (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6086-1521)
- Anna E. Vilgelm (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4446-913X)
- Nar Bahadur Katuwal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7648-8044)
- Bridget A. Oppong (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1696-4491)
- Evdokiya Reshetnikova
- Marcelo SF Pereira
- Dean A Lee
Institutions
- Nationwide Children's Hospital (US)
- The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (US)
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (US)
- The Ohio State University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
- Published
- 2026-04-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.04.19.719504
- Primary Topic
- Advanced Breast Cancer Therapies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- U.S. Department of Defense
- Pelotonia