Last reviewed · How we verify

PD-0332991 (pd-0332991)

Pfizer Inc. · discontinued

PD-0332991, 125mg, 3 cycles

PD-0332991 (palbociclib) is a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor approved for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer in combination with endocrine therapy. Its key clinical differentiator is the ability to restore sensitivity to hormone therapy in patients with endocrine-resistant disease, improving progression-free survival when combined with aromatase inhibitors or fulvestrant.

At a glance

Generic namepd-0332991
SponsorPfizer Inc.
Drug classPD-0332991, 125mg, 3 cycles
TargetPhosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate 4-kinase type-2 alpha, Phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate 4-kinase type-2 gamma, Serine/threonine-protein kinase TAO2
Therapeutic areaOncology
Phasediscontinued

Mechanism of action

PD-0332991 works by targeting two closely related proteins called CDK4 and CDK6, which act as molecular 'accelerators' that push cancer cells through their division cycle. In many breast cancers, these proteins become overactive, allowing cells to divide rapidly. By blocking these proteins, the drug essentially hits the brakes on cell division, causing cancer cells to pause and preventing them from multiplying. What makes PD-0332991 particularly useful is that it restores cancer cells' sensitivity to hormone-blocking drugs. Some breast cancers develop resistance to hormone therapy because they find alternative pathways to keep dividing. By blocking CDK4/6, PD-0332991 cuts off these escape routes, making hormone-blocking medications effective again. This combination approach has significantly improved how long patients survive without their cancer worsening. The drug specifically targets breast cancer cells that depend on estrogen for growth. It's given as a pill taken daily in combination with other endocrine treatments, allowing doctors to use hormonal therapy more effectively in patients whose cancers had stopped responding to it alone.

Approved indications

Pipeline indications

Common side effects

No common side effects on file.

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

SourceUsed for
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape: