Palbociclib, a new breast cancer drug, may hold promise in fighting other types of the disease, new research suggests.

The oral drug, which has been shown to combat breast cancer alone and in combination with endocrine therapy, works by targeting rapidly dividing tumor cells. A new analysis past studies and additional original research conducted by experts at the University of Pennsylvania suggests this mechanism may also be effective against other tumor cells.

The findings, published this month in JAMA Oncology, suggest the drug may be particularly effective against melanoma skin cancer, lymphoma, and esophageal cancer.

"All living cells undergo cell division and palbociclib's unique capacity to halt the cell division process (also known as the 'cell cycle') therefore has potentially broad applicability," said lead researcher Dr. Amy S. Clark.

"Pairing palbociclib with other anti-cancer therapies such as endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy can create a powerful combinatorial effect with real promise for addressing a variety of cancers."

Palbociclib is one of a new breed of targeted medications that more accurately identify and attack cancer cells, usually while doing no or little damage to normal cells.

"This drug has minor effects on normal cells other than neutrophils (white blood cells)," said researcher Dr. Peter J. O'Dwyer, a cancer specialist at Penn and director of the Developmental Therapeutics Program at the ACC. "In tumors, it can cause shrinkage, or more commonly, arrest of growth."

The team’s conclusions are based on an assessment of 130 past studies, as well as Penn’s own research.