Dr. Backes on Quality of Life With PARP Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer

Floor J. Backes, MD, associate professor, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and vice chair, Cancer Institutional Review Board, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center—James, discusses quality of life (QoL) with PARP inhibitors for patients with ovarian cancer.

There is not a lot of data regarding the impact of PARP inhibitors on QoL in the frontline maintenance setting, explains Backes. However, in the recurrent and maintenance settings, data suggest that PARP inhibitors do not have an adverse event on QoL.

For example, the phase III ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial showed significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) with niraparib (Zejula) compared with placebo as maintenance therapy in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive disease.

An analysis of the trial showed patients were able to maintain QoL during treatment, says Backes. Beside nausea, all adverse events remained stable or improved over the course of treatment.

Additionally, an analysis of the phase III SOLO2/ENGOT OV-21 trial showed olaparib (Lynparza) maintenance did not significantly influence patients’ QoL, explains Backes. Moreover, quality-adjusted PFS was improved with olaparib versus placebo.