Early-stage, high-risk breast cancer in BRCA carriers: Results of the highly awaited phase 3 OlympiA trial showed promising results for EARLY STAGE (i.e., localized Stage 2-3) high-risk breast cancer patients with a BRCA mutation who were treated with a PARP inhibitor (olaparib) in the adjuvant setting (i.e., AFTER surgery).1 Early-stage breast cancer in this trial was defined as those with at least Stage 2 triple negative disease or Stage 3 hormone receptor positive disease (with 4+ lymph nodes). Specifically, among women and men with early-stage breast cancer and a BRCA mutation who were given olaparib for 1 year after surgery, survival was better (86%) compared to those given placebo (77%) after 3 years of follow up. Based on this information, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released a rapid guidelines recommendation update for certain patients with hereditary breast cancer based on the research supporting the use of adjuvant olaparib in patients with early-stage, high-risk HER2-negative breast cancer and germline BRCA mutations.2
Ovarian cancers in RAD51C and RAD51D carriers: Results of a new phase 2 study suggest that RAD51C and RAD51D carriers with ovarian cancer may respond to a PARP inhibitor (rucaparib).3
Pancreatic cancer in BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2 carriers: Results of a Phase 2 trial of a PARP inhibitor (rucaparib) for platinum-sensitive advanced pancreatic cancer showed potential benefit in those with either a germline or somatic mutation in BRCA1, BRCA2, or PALB2.4
1Tutt, et al. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jun. PMID: 34081848. 2Tung, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2021 Aug. PMID: 34343058. 3Swisher, et al. Nat Commun. 2021 May. PMID: 33941784. 4Reiss, et al. J Clin Oncol. 2021 Aug. PMID: 33970687.