Work

CDK4/6 inhibitor-associated vortex keratopathy: a case report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors are novel anticancer drugs that can arrest the cell cycle and halt the progression of cancers. This study presents a rare case of vortex keratopathy associated with the use of a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor for breast cancer treatment. PATIENT PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old female patient with a one-year history of eye irritation presented at our hospital. She had been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer two years prior and received treatment with tiremciclib (a novel CDK4/6 inhibitor) in combination with fulvestrant at the same time. After slit-lamp examination, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), and corneal confocal microscopy, the patient was diagnosed with vortex keratopathy. The ocular symptoms of the patient improved slightly after the use of artificial lubricating eye drops. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates the ocular characteristics and novel findings of corneal confocal microscopy of CDK4/6 inhibitor-related vortex keratopathy. Our findings increase the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of drug-induced vortex keratopathy and increase our awareness of ocular manifestations in patients receiving novel anticancer drugs.

Source: BMC Ophthalmology

DOI: 10.1186/s12886-025-04043-6

Authors: Lian Shu, Xinhan Cui, Yan Wang, Xinghuai Sun

Institutions: Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Fudan University, Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Frontiers Center for Brain Science of the Ministry of Education

Language: English

Topic: Drug-Induced Ocular Toxicity

Subfield: Ophthalmology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,990