Thomas J. Herzog, MD, examines the PAOLA-1 trial results, focusing on the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) and key secondary endpoint of overall survival for olaparib in combination with bevacizumab for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. He discusses the 5-year overall survival data in relation to the PFS data and reviews the safety profile of the combination therapy with over 5 years of median follow-up. Dr. Herzog also considers the impact of these data on clinical decision-making and patient counseling from the perspective of a practicing gynecologic oncologist.
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LYNPARZA may cause serious side effects, including:
Bone marrow problems called Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) or Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Some people who have received previous treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or certain other medicines for their cancer have developed MDS or AML during treatment with LYNPARZA. MDS or AML may lead to death. If you develop MDS or AML, your healthcare provider will stop treatment with LYNPARZA.
Symptoms of low blood cell counts are common during treatment with LYNPARZA, but can be a sign of serious bone marrow problems, including MDS or AML. Symptoms may include weakness, weight loss, fever, frequent infections, blood in urine or stool, shortness of breath, feeling very tired, bruising or bleeding more easily.
Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your blood cell counts:
Lung problems (pneumonitis). Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening symptoms of lung problems, including shortness of breath, fever, cough, or wheezing. Your healthcare provider may do a chest x-ray if you have any of these symptoms. Your healthcare provider may temporarily or completely stop treatment if you develop pneumonitis. Pneumonitis may lead to death.
Blood clots (venous thromboembolism). Some people may develop a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg (venous thrombosis) or a clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), which may be severe or lead to death. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms such as pain or swelling in an extremity, shortness of breath, chest pain, breathing that is more rapid than normal (tachypnea), or heart beats faster than normal (tachycardia). Your healthcare provider will monitor you for these symptoms and may prescribe blood thinner medicine.
Before taking LYNPARZA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking LYNPARZA and certain other medicines may affect how LYNPARZA works and may cause side effects.
How should I take LYNPARZA?
What should I avoid while taking LYNPARZA?
Avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, Seville oranges, and Seville orange juice during treatment with LYNPARZA since they may increase the level of LYNPARZA in your blood.
LYNPARZA may cause serious side effects (see above). The most common side effects of LYNPARZA when used alone are:
The most common side effects of LYNPARZA when used in combination with bevacizumab are:
The most common side effects of LYNPARZA when used in combination with abiraterone are:
These are not all the possible side effects of LYNPARZA. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products (Opens in new window).
Please see complete Prescribing Information (Link opens PDF in a new tab), including Medication GuideLink (opens PDF in a new tab).