Many patients with metastatic breast cancer develop resistance to endocrine therapy. Therefore, treatments with novel molecular targets have been developed to overcome endocrine resistance in patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2−) metastatic breast cancer, including cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6) inhibitors. CDK4 and CDK6 inhibitors such as abemaciclib offer a new treatment option for patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Nurses have an important role in providing guidance, education and support to patients with breast cancer. Since more patients are likely to receive abemaciclib, it will become increasingly important for nurses to understand how it works, how to effectively manage potential side effects and how to support patients with adhering to treatment.

This article describes the rationale for the use of CDK4 and CDK6 inhibitors in patients with breast cancer, and provides practical advice on how to manage patients with metastatic breast cancer who have been prescribed abemaciclib.