Definition

An orally bioavailable inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) types 4 (CDK4) and 6 (CDK6), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, lerociclib selectively inhibits CDK4 and CDK6, which inhibits the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (Rb) early in the G1 phase, prevents CDK-mediated G1-S phase transition and leads to cell cycle arrest. This suppresses DNA replication and decreases tumor cell proliferation. CDK4 and 6 are serine/threonine kinases that are upregulated in many tumor cell types and play a key role in the regulation of both cell cycle progression from the G1-phase into the S-phase and tumor cell proliferation.