Comparing the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors for the treatment of patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

This study compared the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors for the treatment of patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in solid tumors. The data showed that PARP inhibitors could benefit both patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations with similar effectiveness.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations (abnormalities) can be found in many patients with breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer. BRCA1/BRCA2 genes block the rapid and uncontrolled growth of cells, therefore the formation of tumors. These mutations are often found in young patients and can be very resistant to current treatment options. Targeted therapy is an option for these patients.

Olaparib (Lynparza) is a targeted therapy that blocks a protein called PARP, which helps damaged cells to repair themselves. Therefore, PARP inhibitors keep cancer cells from repairing themselves which eventually causes them to die. BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutated cancers have been shown to be responsive to PARP-inhibitors like olaparib. However, it is not known if patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have similar benefits from treatment with PARP inhibitors.

This study analyzed 11 studies and involved a total of 2747 patients with breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. 1544 patients had mutations in the BRCA1 gene, 1191 patients had mutations in the BRCA2 gene, and 12 patients had mutations in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

In patients with a BRCA1 mutation, treatment with PARP inhibitors reduced the risk of cancer worsening by 58% compared to treatment with a control treatment.

In patients with a BRCA2 mutation, treatment with PARP inhibitors reduced the risk of cancer worsening by 65% compared to treatment with a control treatment.

No significant differences in the effectiveness of PARP inhibitors were found between patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. These benefits were similar in patients with different cancer types.

This study concluded that PARP inhibitors could benefit both patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations with similar effectiveness.

The studies analyzed had different designs and methodologies. Data on overall survival and side effects were missing.