Palbociclib
Also sold as: Ibrance
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Drug Information
Mechanism of Action
12.1 Mechanism of Action Palbociclib is an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4 and 6. Cyclin D1 and CDK4/6 are downstream of signaling pathways which lead to cellular proliferation. In vitro, palbociclib reduced cellular proliferation of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cell lines by blocking progression of the cell from G1 into S phase of the cell cycle. Treatment of breast cancer cell lines with the combination of palbociclib and antiestrogens leads to decreased retinoblastoma (Rb) protein phosphorylation resulting in reduced E2F expression and signaling, and increased growth arrest compared to treatment with each drug alone. In vitro treatment of ER-positive breast cancer cell lines with the combination of palbociclib and antiestrogens led to increased cell senescence compared to each drug alone, which was sustained for up to 6 days following palbociclib removal and was greater if antiestrogen treatment was continued. In vivo studies using a patient-derived ER-positive breast cancer xenograft model demonstrated that the combination of palbociclib and letrozole increased the inhibition of Rb phosphorylation, downstream signaling, and tumor growth compared to each drug alone. Human bone marrow mononuclear cells treated with palbociclib in the presence or absence of an anti-estrogen in vitro did not become senescent and resumed proliferation following palbociclib withdrawal.
Indications & Uses
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE IBRANCE is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with: • an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy; or • fulvestrant in patients with disease progression following endocrine therapy. IBRANCE is indicated in combination with inavolisib and fulvestrant for the treatment of adult patients with endocrine-resistant, PIK3CA -mutated, HR-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, as detected by an FDA-approved test, following recurrence on or after completing adjuvant endocrine therapy. IBRANCE is a kinase inhibitor indicated: • for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with: o an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy ( 1 ); or o fulvestrant in patients with disease progression following endocrine therapy. ( 1 ) • in combination with inavolisib and fulvestrant for the treatment of adult patients with endocrine-resistant, PIK3CA -mutated, HR-positive, HER2-negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, as detected by an FDA-approved test, following recurrence on or after completing adjuvant endocrine therapy. ( 1 )
Dosage & Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION IBRANCE capsules are taken orally with food in combination with an aromatase inhibitor, fulvestrant, or inavolisib and fulvestrant. ( 2 ) • Recommended starting dose: 125 mg once daily taken with food for 21 days followed by 7 days off treatment. ( 2.1 ) • Dosing interruption and/or dose reductions are recommended based on individual safety and tolerability. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dose and Schedule The recommended dose of IBRANCE is a 125 mg capsule taken orally once daily for 21 consecutive days followed by 7 days off treatment to comprise a complete cycle of 28 days. IBRANCE capsule should be taken with food [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Administer the recommended dose of an aromatase inhibitor when given with IBRANCE. Please refer to the Full Prescribing Information for the aromatase inhibitor being used. When given with IBRANCE, the recommended dose of fulvestrant is 500 mg administered on Days 1, 15, 29, and once monthly thereafter. Please refer to the Full Prescribing Information of fulvestrant. Refer to the Full Prescribing Information for inavolisib and fulvestrant for dosing information. Advise patients to take their dose of IBRANCE at approximately the same time each day. If the patient vomits or misses a dose, an additional dose should not be taken. The next prescribed dose should be taken at the usual time. IBRANCE capsules should be swallowed whole (do not chew, crush, or open them prior to swallowing). Capsules should not be ingested if they are broken, cracked, or otherwise not intact. Pre/perimenopausal women treated with the combination IBRANCE plus an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant or IBRANCE plus inavolisib and fulvestrant therapy should also be treated with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists according to current clinical practice standards. For men treated with combination IBRANCE plus aromatase inhibitor or IBRANCE plus inavolisib and fulvestrant therapy, consider treatment with an LHRH agonist according to current clinical practice standards. 2.2 Dose Modification The recommended dose modifications for adverse reactions are listed in Tables 1, 2, and 3. Table 1. Recommended Dose Modification for Adverse Reactions Dose Level Dose Recommended starting dose 125 mg/day First dose reduction 100 mg/day Second dose reduction 75 mg/day If further dose reduction below 75 mg/day is required, discontinue. Table 2. Dose Modification and Management – Hematologic Toxicities Table applies to all hematologic adverse reactions except lymphopenia (unless associated with clinical events, e.g., opportunistic infections). Grading according to CTCAE 4.0. CTCAE=Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events; LLN=lower limit of normal. Monitor complete blood counts prior to the start of IBRANCE therapy and at the beginning of each cycle, as well as on Day 15 of the first 2 cycles, and as clinically indicated. For patients who experience a maximum of Grade 1 or 2 neutropenia in the first 6 cycles, monitor complete blood counts for subsequent cycles every 3 months, prior to the beginning of a cycle and as clinically indicated. CTCAE Grade Dose Modifications Grade 1 or 2 No dose adjustment is required. Grade 3 Day 1 of cycle : Withhold IBRANCE, repeat complete blood count monitoring within 1 week. When recovered to Grade ≤2, start the next cycle at the same dose . Day 15 of first 2 cycles : If Grade 3 on Day 15, continue IBRANCE at current dose to complete cycle and repeat complete blood count on Day 22. If Grade 4 on Day 22, see Grade 4 dose modification guidelines below. Consider dose reduction in cases of prolonged (>1 week) recovery from Grade 3 neutropenia or recurrent Grade 3 neutropenia on Day 1 of subsequent cycles. Grade 3 neutropenia Absolute neutrophil count (ANC): Grade 1: ANC < LLN - 1500/mm 3 ; Grade 2: ANC 1000 - <1500/mm 3 ; Grade 3: ANC 500 - <1000/mm 3 ; Grade 4: ANC <500/mm 3 . with fever ≥38.5 ºC and/or infection At any time : Withhold IBRANCE until recovery to Grade ≤2. Resume at the next lower dose . Grade 4 At any time : Withhold IBRANCE until recovery to Grade ≤2. Resume at the next lower dose . Table 3. Dose Modification and Management – Non-Hematologic Toxicities CTCAE Grade Dose Modifications Grading according to CTCAE 4.0. CTCAE=Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Grade 1 or 2 No dose adjustment is required. Grade ≥3 non-hematologic toxicity (if persisting despite optimal medical treatment) Withhold until symptoms resolve to: • Grade ≤1; • Grade ≤2 (if not considered a safety risk for the patient) Resume at the next lower dose . Permanently discontinue IBRANCE in patients with severe interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis. Refer to the Full Prescribing Information for coadministered endocrine therapy and/or inavolisib dose adjustment guidelines in the event of toxicity and other relevant safety information or contraindications. Dose Modifications for Use With Strong CYP3A Inhibitors Avoid concomitant use of s
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: • Neutropenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] • ILD/Pneumonitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) in combination with either letrozole or fulvestrant, including laboratory abnormalities, were white blood cell count decreased, neutrophils decreased, blood creatinine increased, hemoglobin decreased, platelets decreased, infections, aspartate aminotransferase increased, alanine aminotransferase increased, fatigue, nausea, stomatitis, diarrhea, and alopecia. ( 6.1 ) The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥20%) in combination with inavolisib and fulvestrant, including laboratory abnormalities, were neutrophils decreased, hemoglobin decreased, fasting glucose increased, platelets decreased, lymphocytes decreased, stomatitis, diarrhea, calcium decreased, fatigue, potassium decreased, creatinine increased, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased, nausea, sodium decreased, magnesium decreased, rash, decreased appetite, COVID-19 infection, and headache. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pfizer Inc at 1-800-438-1985 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Studies Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. PALOMA-2: IBRANCE plus Letrozole Patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer for initial endocrine-based therapy The safety of IBRANCE (125 mg/day) plus letrozole (2.5 mg/day) versus placebo plus letrozole was evaluated in PALOMA-2. The data described below reflect exposure to IBRANCE in 444 out of 666 patients with ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer who received at least 1 dose of IBRANCE plus letrozole in PALOMA-2. The median duration of treatment for IBRANCE plus letrozole was 19.8 months while the median duration of treatment for placebo plus letrozole arm was 13.8 months. Dose reductions due to an adverse reaction of any grade occurred in 36% of patients receiving IBRANCE plus letrozole. No dose reduction was allowed for letrozole in PALOMA-2. Permanent discontinuation associated with an adverse reaction occurred in 43 of 444 (10%) patients receiving IBRANCE plus letrozole and in 13 of 222 (6%) patients receiving placebo plus letrozole. Adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation for patients receiving IBRANCE plus letrozole included neutropenia (1.1%) and alanine aminotransferase increase (0.7%). The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) of any grade reported in patients in the IBRANCE plus letrozole arm by descending frequency were neutropenia, infections, leukopenia, fatigue, nausea, alopecia, stomatitis, diarrhea, anemia, rash, asthenia, thrombocytopenia, vomiting, decreased appetite, dry skin, pyrexia, and dysgeusia. The most frequently reported Grade ≥3 adverse reactions (≥5%) in patients receiving IBRANCE plus letrozole by descending frequency were neutropenia, leukopenia, infections, and anemia. Adverse reactions (≥10%) reported in patients who received IBRANCE plus letrozole or placebo plus letrozole in PALOMA-2 are listed in Table 4. Table 4. Adverse Reactions (≥10%) in PALOMA-2 IBRANCE plus Letrozole (N=444) Placebo plus Letrozole (N=222) Adverse Reaction All Grades % Grade 3 % Grade 4 % All Grades % Grade 3 % Grade 4 % Grading according to CTCAE 4.0. CTCAE=Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events; N=number of patients; N/A=not applicable; Infections and infestations Infections Infections includes all reported preferred terms (PTs) that are part of the System Organ Class Infections and infestations. 60 Most common infections (≥1%) include: nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, oral herpes, sinusitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, influenza, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, herpes zoster, pharyngitis, cellulitis, cystitis, lower respiratory tract infection, tooth infection, gingivitis, skin infection, gastroenteritis viral, respiratory tract infection, respiratory tract infection viral, and folliculitis. 6 1 42 3 0 Blood and lymphatic system disorders Neutropenia 80 56 10 6 1 1 Leukopenia 39 24 1 2 0 0 Anemia 24 5 <1 9 2 0 Thrombocytopenia 16 1 <1 1 0 0 Metabolism and nutrition disorders Decreased appetite 15 1 0 9 0 0 Nervous system disorders Dysgeusia 10 0 0 5 0 0 Gastrointestinal disorders Stomatitis Stomatitis includes: aphthous stomatitis, cheilitis, glossitis, glossodynia, mouth ulceration, mucosal inflammation, oral pain, oral discomfort, oropharyngeal pain, and stomatitis. 30 1 0 14 0 0 Nausea 35 <1 0 26 2 0 Diarrhea 26 1 0 19 1 0 Vomiting 16 1 0 17 1 0 Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Alopecia 33 Grade 1 events – 3
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Palbociclib is primarily metabolized by CYP3A and sulfotransferase (SULT) enzyme SULT2A1. In vivo, palbociclib is a time-dependent inhibitor of CYP3A. • CYP3A Inhibitors: Avoid concurrent use of IBRANCE with strong CYP3A inhibitors. If the strong inhibitor cannot be avoided, reduce the IBRANCE dose. ( 2.2 , 7.1 ) • CYP3A Inducers: Avoid concurrent use of IBRANCE with strong CYP3A inducers. ( 7.2 ) • CYP3A Substrates: The dose of sensitive CYP3A4 substrates with narrow therapeutic indices may need to be reduced when given concurrently with IBRANCE. ( 7.3 ) 7.1 Agents That May Increase Palbociclib Plasma Concentrations Effect of CYP3A Inhibitors Coadministration of a strong CYP3A inhibitor (itraconazole) increased the plasma exposure of palbociclib in healthy subjects by 87%. Avoid concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lopinavir/ritonavir, nefazodone, nelfinavir, posaconazole, ritonavir, saquinavir, telaprevir, telithromycin, and voriconazole). Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice during IBRANCE treatment. If coadministration of IBRANCE with a strong CYP3A inhibitor cannot be avoided, reduce the dose of IBRANCE [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.2 Agents That May Decrease Palbociclib Plasma Concentrations Effect of CYP3A Inducers Coadministration of a strong CYP3A inducer (rifampin) decreased the plasma exposure of palbociclib in healthy subjects by 85%. Avoid concomitant use of strong CYP3A inducers (e.g., phenytoin, rifampin, carbamazepine, enzalutamide, and St John's Wort) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.3 Drugs That May Have Their Plasma Concentrations Altered by Palbociclib Coadministration of midazolam with multiple doses of IBRANCE increased the midazolam plasma exposure by 61%, in healthy subjects, compared to administration of midazolam alone. The dose of the sensitive CYP3A substrate with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., alfentanil, cyclosporine, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, everolimus, fentanyl, pimozide, quinidine, sirolimus, and tacrolimus) may need to be reduced, as IBRANCE may increase its exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS None. None. ( 4 )
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Data sourced from RxNorm (NLM/NIH), FDA Orange Book, OpenFDA, DailyMed. Last updated: 2026-03-02.