The safety and efficacy of olaparib therapy in patients with relapsed ovarian cancer

Abstract

Introduction: PARP inhibition is an exciting new anticancer strategy. Olaparib has recently obtained a first in class license in Europe and the USA for the treatment of relapsed BRCA-mutant ovarian cancer.

Areas covered: We review the key preclinical and clinical data surrounding its use in the maintenance setting. Expert commentary: We also consider the market profile, regulatory issues surrounding the agent and offer a five year speculative viewpoint of its future development in ovarian cancer.

Keywords: BRCA; Ovarian cancer; PARP inhibitor; homologous recombination; maintenance; olaparib; synthetic lethality.