A study to test niraparib (a PARP inhibitor) in males with metastatic prostate cancer showed that those with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA) mutation lived longer on average compared to those without a BRCA mutation. Side effects from niraparib were similar to those previously reported with PARP inhibitors.1
Another PARP inhibitor trial tested an oral drug (talazoparib) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and showed that it improved progression-free survival compared to standard of care (which was an androgen receptor inhibitor) regardless of BRCA mutation status.2 However, in males with a BRCA or other DNA repair gene mutation, the benefit was the greatest.
1Smith et al. Lancet Oncol. 2022;23(3):362-373. PMID: 35131040.
2Bono et al. Lancet Oncol. 2021;22(9):1250-1264. PMID: 34388386.