Dr. Cosgrove on Selecting a PARP Inhibitor for Maintenance Therapy in Ovarian Cancer

Casey M. Cosgrove, MD, gynecologic oncologist, assistant professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses factors to consider when selecting a PARP inhibitor as maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian cancer.

Currently, olaparib (Lynparza), rucaparib (Rubraca), and niraparib (Zejula) are FDA approved as maintenance therapy in women with recurrent ovarian cancer who have achieved a partial or complete response to platinum-based chemotherapy, explains Cosgrove.

Some PARP inhibitors are more likely to cause bone marrow suppression or gastrointestinal adverse events (AEs). As such, the toxicity profiles of these agents should factor into treatment selection, so as to mitigate these AEs. As each agent has demonstrated similar efficacy in this space, patient preference should also factor into the decision, concludes Cosgrove.