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PARP inhibitors and immunotherapy in ovarian and endometrial cancers

Rowan E Miller1,2, Amy J Lewis3, Melanie E Powell1

  • 1Department of Oncology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK.

The British Journal of Radiology
|April 21, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Novel targeted therapies, including PARP inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors, are improving outcomes for advanced ovarian and endometrial cancers. These treatments offer new hope beyond traditional chemotherapy for gynecological cancer patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Advanced ovarian and endometrial cancers historically present poor prognoses with limited therapeutic options.
  • Traditional chemotherapy regimens offer single or doublet options, impacting DNA replication and mitosis.
  • Novel targeted therapies offer a new paradigm by targeting specific cancer pathways, stroma, immune microenvironment, and vasculature.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the biological rationale and clinical evidence for PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer.
  • To explore the application and evidence for immune checkpoint inhibitors in endometrial cancer.
  • To discuss advances in targeted therapies for advanced gynecological malignancies.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical trials and biological mechanisms.
  • Analysis of data on PARP inhibitors in ovarian cancer maintenance therapy.
  • Examination of immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy in endometrial cancer, particularly mismatch repair deficient types.

Main Results:

  • PARP inhibitors demonstrate efficacy as maintenance therapy in first-line and relapsed advanced ovarian cancer.
  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors show success in advanced mismatch repair deficient endometrial cancers.
  • Targeted therapies represent significant advances over conventional chemotherapy for these gynecological cancers.

Conclusions:

  • PARP inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed the treatment landscape for advanced ovarian and endometrial cancers.
  • These targeted therapies offer improved outcomes by addressing specific molecular vulnerabilities and the tumor immune microenvironment.
  • Further investigation is warranted to expand the use of these agents beyond current indications.

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