Use of First-Line PARP Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer

Platinum-based chemotherapy regimens are the mainstay of advanced ovarian cancer treatment. However, up to 85% of the patients experience recurrence under these settings. To fill this gap, novel front-line treatment strategies have been established, leading to unprecedented clinical benefits. For example, first-line bevacizumab, an anti-angiogenic agent, plus chemotherapy followed by bevacizumab maintenance, has emerged as a new standard of care for newly diagnosed high risk ovarian cancer patients. This was based on the results of the phase III GOG 0218 and ICON-7 trials. More recently, poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, including niraparib, olaparib and veliparib, have offered a new treatment option as part of the front-line treatment in ovarian cancer. Here we provide an overview of three recent studies that may lead to a paradigm shift in the first-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer.