Dr. Matulonis on Toxicities With Olaparib for Patients With Ovarian Cancer
Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, medical director, gynecologic oncology, Susan F. Smith Center for Women's Cancers, institute physician, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses managing toxicities associated with olaparib for patients with ovarian cancer.
Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, medical director, gynecologic oncology, Susan F. Smith Center for Women’s Cancers, institute physician, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses managing toxicities associated with olaparib for patients with ovarian cancer.
If a patient being treated with olaparib develops low-grade toxicities, such as grade I/II nausea or vomiting, Matulonis advises them to remain on the treatment. These side effects will typically improve over time.
However, if a patient has grade III/IV nausea, weight loss, abdominal pain, or loss of appetite, a break from olaparib is appropriate, she says. This is followed by a dosage reduction, such as 400 mg to 200 mg daily. This reduction is permitted to maintain for efficacy; however, if the dosage reduces to 100 mg daily, there are concerns for efficacy.
Clinicians can escalate a patient's dosage if the patient is easily managing the treatment and/or any side effects.
