Mechanism Of Action:
Olaparib functions as an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, effectively impeding the repair of single-strand DNA breaks. This mechanism leads to synthetic lethality in BRCA-associated cancer cells, characterized by a malfunction in the homologous recombination DNA repair pathway.
Indication:
Ovarian Cancer
Olaparib is utilized as a standalone treatment for maintaining adults with confirmed or suspected deleterious germline or somatic BRCA-mutated advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. This maintenance therapy is specifically intended for patients who have achieved a complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. The FDA has designated olaparib as an orphan drug for this precise indication. It is crucial to perform an FDA-approved companion diagnostic test before initiating therapy to confirm the presence of specific biomarkers.
Breast Cancer
This specific indication applies to patients who have received prior chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or metastatic setting. For patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, prior treatment with endocrine therapy is necessary unless clinically contraindicated. Prior to initiating therapy, the presence of specific biomarkers must be confirmed using an FDA-approved companion diagnostic test.
Prostate Cancer
Olaparib is used as a monotherapy for the treatment of adults with confirmed or suspected deleterious germline or somatic mutations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes, who are diagnosed with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and have experienced progression after prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone. Prior to initiating therapy, the presence of specific biomarkers must be confirmed using an FDA-approved companion diagnostic test.
