Dr. Coleman on the Future of PARP Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer

Robert L. Coleman, MD, FACOG, FACS, professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the future of PARP inhibitors in patients with ovarian cancer.

There have been 3 major phase III trials that have shown the merit of PARP inhibitors in the recurrent platinum-sensitive population, says Coleman. The biggest benefit of PARP has been demonstrated in patients who carry a homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) signature, regardless of BRCA mutation status.

The next step is looking at PARP inhibitors in the recurrent setting, especially in patients who harbor the BRCA mutation, notes Coleman. These patients have the highest probability of responding with a PARP combination or single agent. PARP inhibitors are also being investigated in the frontline population, says Coleman. The angiogenesis inhibitors, immuno-oncology agents, and combinations with PARP inhibitors as doublets and triplets are already being evaluated. Physicians are excited about where the field is headed now that they have some active compounds.