Results from a Phase 3 trial of the medicine Lynparza (olaparib) for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer in women with the BRCA-mutation have been announced as positive. The full article containing more information can be found here, at the website of AstraZeneca and Merck (also known as MSD).
About Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer initially affects the ovaries, but it is considered advanced when it spreads to another area(s) of the body, or if it reoccurs after treatment. Since ovarian cancer often isn’t associated with obvious symptoms, it may only be diagnosed after it has already reached a late stage.
Some females who develop ovarian cancer also have a genetic alteration that is associated with the cancer. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are known to increase a person’s risk of certain forms of cancer, including breast and ovarian. Approximately 17% of females with a BRCA1 mutation and 44% of those with a BRCA2 mutation go on to develop ovarian cancer. In comparison, about 1.3% of the general female population develop the cancer. This is because the BRCA genes produce tumour suppressor proteins that help the body to prevent cancer from developing. Alterations to these genes may disrupt that process.
The Clinical Trial
A Phase 3 Solo-1 clinical trial investigated the effects of the drug Lynparza on BRCA-mutated advanced ovarian cancer.
The trial compared the effects of Lynparza as a first-line treatment (the first treatment used for a disease) to those of a placebo. It found that patients who took Lynparza maintenance therapy had a greater progression-free survival compared to those taking the placebo. The safety of the drug was also similar to what was expected.
Given these encouraging results, AstraZeneca and Merck say that they are planning to discuss the experimental therapy’s regulation status with health authorities.
About Lynparza
Lynparza isn’t currently approved by the FDA as a first-line maintenance treatment for ovarian cancer. However, it has been approved for other forms of cancer, including recurrent ovarian cancer in response to platinum-based chemotherapy, and advanced ovarian cancer with the gBRCA mutation following three or more previous lines of chemotherapy.