Olaparib in germline-mutated metastatic breast cancer: implications of the OlympiAD trial

Future Oncol. 2019 Jul;15(20):2327-2335. doi: 10.2217/fon-2018-0067. Epub 2019 Jul 15.

Abstract

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Our increased understanding of cellular mechanisms inherent to cancer has led to the development of new therapeutic targets. One such therapy is that of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, with PARP playing a key role in the repair of single stranded DNA breaks. The development of drugs able to inhibit PARP led to their investigation in tumors that have defective DNA repair, including that of BRCA1/2-associated cancers. The PARP inhibitor Olaparib, has recently been evaluated in the Phase III OlympiAD trial, and demonstrated a significant progression-free survival advantage in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer and a germline BRCA-mutation. This article will review the findings and potential implications of the trial.

Keywords: OlympiAD; breast cancer; olaparib.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • BRCA1 Protein / genetics
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics
  • Breast / pathology
  • Breast / surgery
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / adverse effects
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / methods
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Germ-Line Mutation
  • Humans
  • Phthalazines / therapeutic use*
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use*
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Precision Medicine / methods
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • BRCA1 Protein
  • BRCA1 protein, human
  • BRCA2 Protein
  • BRCA2 protein, human
  • Phthalazines
  • Piperazines
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • olaparib