title: Olaparib in the management of ovarian cancer.
abstract: Alterations in the homologous repair pathway are thought to occur in 30%-50% of epithelial ovarian cancers. Cells deficient in homologous recombination rely on alternative pathways for DNA repair in order to survive, thereby providing a potential target for therapy. Olaparib, a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, capitalizes on this concept and is the first drug in its class approved for patients with ovarian cancer. This review article will provide an overview of the BRCA genes and homologous recombination, the role of PARP in DNA repair and the biological rationale for the use of PARP inhibitors as cancer therapy, and ultimately will focus on the use of olaparib in the management of ovarian cancer.
authors: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors: Kristin
authors: K
authors: Bixel
authors: Department of Hematology Oncology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors: John L
authors: JL
authors: Hays
keywords: PARP inhibitor; olaparib; ovarian cancer