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PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer

British Journal of Cancer volume 113, pages S1–S2 (2015)Cite this article

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The fact that most women diagnosed with ovarian cancer initially present in the advanced stages of the disease constitutes one of the greatest barriers to effective treatment. The failure of existing treatments is largely reflected by the fact that ovarian cancer remains the most common cause of gynaecological cancer death, with rates of survival in the UK among the worst in Western Europe (Ovarian Cancer Action, 2014). Cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy, while it represents the standard of care for advanced ovarian cancer, does not appear to adequately maintain disease control at 5 years, or prevent recurrence in most patients (Jayson et al, 2014). With these failings in mind, a tailored approach to treatment – exemplified by targeted therapies and selection of the patient population based on biomarker or genetic screening – seems to currently be a promising emerging strategy to improve survival in women with ovarian cancer.

In this supplement, articles by Ledermann et al and Drew comprehensively review molecular and clinical evidence underlying the evolution of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in a journey spanning 50 years, which culminates in the recent licensing approval of the first oral PARP inhibitor, olaparib (Lynparza) for BRCA-mutated high-grade serous ovarian cancer. In addition, George discusses current UK procedures for BRCA testing of at-risk women and considers new genetic testing models in development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology Center, General University Hospital in Prague, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

    David Cibula

  2. Medical Oncology Department, Vall d‘Hebron University Hospital, Vall d‘Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Barcelona, Spain

    Judith Balmaña

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Correspondence to Judith Balmaña.

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Cibula, D., Balmaña, J. PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer. Br J Cancer 113 (Suppl 1), S1–S2 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2015.392

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