Dr. Penson on PARP Inhibitors as Switch Maintenance Therapy in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Richard T. Penson, MD, MRCP, clinical director, Medical Gynecologic Oncology, Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, discusses selecting between PARP inhibitors for switch maintenance therapy in recurrent ovarian cancer.

Currently, 3 PARP inhibitors are FDA approved as switch maintenance therapy options for patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer who had a complete or partial response to platinum-based therapy, Penson says. These agents include olaparib (Lynparza), niraparib (Zejula), and rucaparib (Rubraca) and all have demonstrated similar efficacy in this patient population.

Regarding safety, the 3 agents also have similar safety profiles, assuming the 200-mg dose of niraparib is utilized, Penson explains. Common adverse effects include nausea and fatigue. Additionally, patients must be informed about the small risk for myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia with PARP inhibitors.

Ultimately, switch maintenance therapy with PARP inhibitors improves outcomes for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer and is a standard treatment option, Penson concludes.