Abemaciclib is Effective Against Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Synergizes with HuR and YAP1 Inhibition

Mutation or promoter hypermethylation of CDKN2A is found in over 90% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) and leads to loss of function of cell cycle inhibitors p16 (INK4A) and p14 (ARF) resulting in unchecked proliferation. The CDK4/6 inhibitor, abemaciclib (Lilly, IN) has nanomolar IC50’s in PDAC cell lines and decreases growth through inhibition of phospho-Rb (pRb), G1 cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and the senescent phenotype detected with β-galactosidase staining and relevant mRNA elevations.