Dr. Rugo on the Significance of the MONARCH I Trial for Breast Cancer

Hope S. Rugo, MD, clinical professor, Department of Medicine, director, Breast Oncology Clinical Trials Program, of UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the significance of the MONARCH I study in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.

According to Rugo, abemaciclib is a different CDK4/6 inhibitor compared to ribociclib (Kisqali) and palbociclib (Ibrance). It appears to have significance as a single agent even for patients who have seen progression after one line of chemotherapy and have received prior taxanes and prior hormone therapy.

There is great excitement to see the results of the combination of abemaciclib with fulvestrant (Faslodex) being investigated in the MONARCH II trial, explains Rugo.