A recent prospective cohort study highlights the incidence and clinical course of abemaciclib-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC) previously treated with chemotherapy. The findings underscore the need for vigilance during treatment with abemaciclib, given its potential to induce ILD, a serious but manageable complication.
The study involved 122 patients who had undergone chemotherapy for HR+ MBC before receiving abemaciclib in combination with hormone therapy. None of the participants had radiological signs of ILD prior to starting abemaciclib. The incidence of abemaciclib-induced ILD was 7.4% (9 out of 122 patients). Most cases (77.8%) were classified as mild (CTCAE grade 1/2), and no grade 4 or 5 cases were observed.
Interestingly, the timing of ILD onset varied, and the study did not identify any significant risk factors for developing abemaciclib-induced ILD. Despite this unpredictability, the clinical outcomes were favorable: all affected patients experienced remission or full recovery from ILD.
These findings reinforce the importance of close monitoring for respiratory symptoms during abemaciclib treatment. Although the risk of severe ILD appears low, early detection and intervention are essential to ensure patient safety and successful outcomes.
For oncologists treating patients with MBC, abemaciclib remains a viable therapeutic option. However, caution is warranted, and collaboration with respiratory specialists may be beneficial for managing suspected ILD cases.
Reference: Nakayama S et al. A prospective cohort study of abemaciclib-induced interstitial lung disease in metastatic breast cancer after chemotherapy. Breast Cancer. 2025. doi: 10.1007/s12282-025-01680-z. [Online ahead of print].
Anaya Malik | AMJ
