The role of niraparib for the treatment of ovarian cancer

Abstract

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains a leading cause of cancer death in women. Approximately 10-15% of patients with EOC harbor a genetic predisposition due to mutations in BRCA1/2 genes. In the recurrent setting, prolonging time to platinum-resistance may improve progression-free survival. In BRCA1/2 mutated ovarian cancer, the use of a polyadenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase inhibitors has been studied in the maintenance and recurrent setting. In the pivotal Phase III NOVA trial, maintenance therapy post platinum response with niraparib significantly improved outcomes in all subgroups, leading to the first polyadenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase inhibitors approval by the US FDA in this setting. In this review, we will focus on the role of niraparib in the treatment of EOC.

Keywords: BRCA mutations; MK-4827; PARP inhibitor; homologous repair deficiency; maintenance therapy; niraparib; ovarian cancer.