# Remarkable response to CDK4/6 inhibitor–based endocrine therapy in HR+/HER2− metastatic male breast cancer with visceral crisis: a case report

**Authors:** Jianfeng Liu, Wei Chen, Jian Wang, Xianchen Wang

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1753700 · Frontiers in Oncology · 2026-01-02

## TL;DR

A rare case of male breast cancer showed significant improvement with CDK4/6 inhibitor-based endocrine therapy after chemotherapy failed.

## Contribution

Demonstrates the potential of CDK4/6 inhibitors in treating HR+/HER2− male breast cancer with visceral crisis.

## Key findings

- CDK4/6 inhibitor-based endocrine therapy achieved substantial tumor regression in a patient with visceral crisis.
- The treatment provided prolonged disease control after chemotherapy failure in HR+/HER2− metastatic male breast cancer.

## Abstract

Male breast cancer (MBC) is rare, and visceral crisis is an exceptionally uncommon yet life-threatening presentation in this population. Although current guidelines recommend combination chemotherapy as first-line therapy for visceral crisis, responses are often inadequate, and evidence for alternative approaches in men is scarce. We report a case of HR+/HER2- metastatic MBC complicated by visceral crisis. Despite first-line chemotherapy, the patient showed swift clinical worsening accompanied by radiographic progression. In view of the lack of treatment response, a CDK4/6 inhibitor–based endocrine regimen was initiated, achieving substantial tumor regression and prolonged disease control. This case suggests that CDK4/6 inhibitor–based endocrine therapy can induce meaningful disease reversal even in visceral crisis and may be a feasible option for selected HR+/HER2− MBC patients after chemotherapy failure. Our case suggests that CDK4/6 inhibitor–based endocrine therapy may offer clinical benefit even in the setting of visceral crisis after chemotherapy failure, indicating that treatment sequencing in such scenarios may merit further consideration.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** CDK4/6 inhibitor (PubChem CID 49765254)
- **Diseases:** breast cancer (MONDO:0004989)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** ERBB2 (erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2) [NCBI Gene 2064] {aka CD340, HER-2, HER-2/neu, HER2, MLN 19, MLN-19}
- **Diseases:** tumor (MESH:D009369), visceral crisis (MESH:D007418), MBC (MESH:D018567)
- **Chemicals:** CDK4/6 inhibitor (-)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

25 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12807930/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12807930