Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
Published on: September 30, 2016
Niraparib as maintenance therapy in a patient with ovarian cancer and brain metastases
Simon Gray1, Xiao Ying Khor1, Dennis Yiannakis1
1Department of Clinical Oncology, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Preston, UK.
Abstract:
Ovarian cancer is the second the most common gynaecological malignancy in developed countries. 70% of patients relapse in the first 3 years following debulking surgery and first-line chemotherapy. Niraparib is a poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase inhibitor which uses the concept of synthetic lethality in the presence of a mutation in the breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA), and is now recommended as maintenance treatment in patients with platinum-sensitive relapse of ovarian cancer. It has been shown to increase progression-free survival. We present a case of a 68-year-old woman with brain metastases from high-grade serous ovarian cancer who has remained free of disease progression for longer than 17 months with niraparib use as maintenance treatment after second-line chemotherapy.
Insights
Niraparib, a PARP inhibitor, offers maintenance treatment for ovarian cancer relapse. In a case study, a patient with brain metastases achieved over 17 months of progression-free survival using niraparib.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gynaecological Malignancies
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ovarian cancer is a common gynaecological malignancy with a high relapse rate within 3 years post-treatment.
- Poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, like niraparib, leverage synthetic lethality for BRCA-mutated cancers.
- Niraparib is approved for maintenance therapy in platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer, improving progression-free survival.
Observation:
- A 68-year-old woman with high-grade serous ovarian cancer developed brain metastases.
- The patient received niraparib as maintenance treatment following second-line chemotherapy.
Findings:
- The patient experienced a progression-free survival exceeding 17 months while on niraparib maintenance therapy.
- This case demonstrates a prolonged response to niraparib in a patient with advanced ovarian cancer and brain metastases.
Implications:
- Niraparib may be a viable maintenance treatment option for select ovarian cancer patients with brain metastases.
- Further research is warranted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of niraparib in ovarian cancer patients with central nervous system involvement.
- This case highlights the potential of targeted therapies in managing advanced gynaecological cancers.
Related Concept Videos
09:29Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
04:07Visualizing DNA Damage Repair Proteins in Patient-Derived Ovarian Cancer Organoids via Immunofluorescence Assays
05:35Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoid Models for Pre-Clinical Drug Testing
07:19Generation and Culturing of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoids
12:03Fertility Preservation in Patients with Severe Ovarian Dysfunction
08:26Strategy for Biobanking of Ovarian Cancer Organoids: Addressing the Interpatient Heterogeneity across Histological Subtypes and Disease Stages