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Kisqali vs Verzenio

Ribociclib  ·  Abemaciclib

Both are CDK4/6 inhibitors. Here is how Kisqali and Verzenio compare on class, mechanism, dosing, approval and supply.

At a glance

KisqaliRibociclib
VerzenioAbemaciclib
Brand names
Kisqali
Verzenio / Verzenios
Drug class
CDK4/6 inhibitor
CDK4/6 inhibitor
Route
Oral
Oral
Marketed by
Novartis
Eli Lilly
First FDA approval
13 Mar 2017
28 Sep 2017
US shortage
Not listed
Not listed

Key differences

What each one treats

KisqaliRibociclib

KISQALI is a kinase inhibitor indicated: in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for the adjuvant treatment of adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative stage II and III early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. ( 1 ) for the treatment of adults with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with: an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy; or fulvestrant as initial endocrine-based therapy or following disease progression on endocrine therapy. ( 1 ) 1.1 Early Breast Cancer KISQALI is indicated in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for the adjuvant treatment of adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative stage II and III early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. 1.2 Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer …

VerzenioAbemaciclib

VERZENIO ® is a kinase inhibitor indicated: in combination with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. ( 1.1 , 14.1 ) in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. ( 1.2 ) in combination with fulvestrant for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer with disease progression following endocrine therapy. ( 1.2 ) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult pati…

How each one works

KisqaliCDK4/6 inhibitor

12.1 Mechanism of Action Ribociclib is an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and 6. These kinases are activated upon binding to D-cyclins and are downstream of signaling pathways which lead to cell cycle progression and cellular proliferation. The cyclin D-CDK4/6 complex regulates cell cycle progression through phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). In vitro , ribociclib decreased pRb phosphorylation, resulting in arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and reduced proliferation in breast cancer-derived models. In vivo , treatment with single agent ribociclib in a rat xenograft model with human tumor cells led to decreased tumor volumes, which correlated with inhibi…

VerzenioCDK4/6 inhibitor

12.1 Mechanism of Action Abemaciclib is an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6). These kinases are activated upon binding to D-cyclins. In estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cell lines, cyclin D1 and CDK4/6 promote phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb), cell cycle progression, and cell proliferation. In vitro, continuous exposure to abemaciclib inhibited Rb phosphorylation and blocked progression from G1 into S phase of the cell cycle, resulting in senescence and apoptosis. In breast cancer xenograft models, abemaciclib dosed daily without interruption as a single agent or in combination with antiestrogens resulted in reduction of tumor size.

Related comparisons

Ibrance VS Kisqali Ibrance VS Verzenio

Read more

Kisqali profile Verzenio profile CDK4/6 Inhibitors All comparisons
This is not medical advice, and not a recommendation of one drug over the other.

Which medicine is right for a given person depends on their diagnosis, other conditions, other medicines, kidney and liver function, pregnancy, and cost or reimbursement — none of which this page knows. Two drugs in the same class are not automatically interchangeable. Never start, stop or switch a prescription medicine on the basis of a web page; that decision belongs to you and your clinician or pharmacist.

Class and summary text is written by the Priya Life Science editorial team. Label, mechanism, route, manufacturer and approval data come from the U.S. FDA via the openFDA API; shortage status from the FDA Drug Shortage Database. Approvals, indications and brand names differ between the US, EU/Ireland (EMA/HPRA) and other regions — a drug approved in one may not be approved, or may carry a different name, in another.