Dr. Westin on Emerging PARP Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer

Shannon N. Westin, MD, MPH, clinical investigator, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses PARP inhibitors that are under investigation in the ovarian cancer space.

There are currently 3 FDA-approved PARP inhibitors as maintenance therapy for patients with ovarian cancer who have achieved a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy—olaparib (Lynparza), rucaparib (Rubraca), and niraparib (Zejula). Westin says that although there may not be rationale to explore further PARP inhibitors in what she feels is already a crowded space, there are 2 more that are being evaluated that show potential.

Ongoing research suggests that the PARP inhibitor veliparib works well in combination with chemotherapy. In ovarian cancer, this agent could have potential in the frontline setting, she postulates. Talazoparib (Talzenna) is another PARP inhibitor that has been under development in the breast cancer space, but Westin says researchers have begun to explore its use in novel combinations for the treatment of ovarian cancer as well.