Response to olaparib in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with germline BRCA2 mutation: a case report

Chao Wu1, Mengjiao Fan, Yi Hu

  • 1Department of Oncology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Anti-Cancer Drugs
|August 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

A patient with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma and a BRCA2 mutation showed a positive response to olaparib, a PARP inhibitor. This suggests PARP inhibitors may be effective for a wider range of BRCA-mutated cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • BRCA2 gene mutations are linked to breast and ovarian cancers.
  • Olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, is effective against BRCA-mutated tumors, particularly in breast and ovarian cancers.

Observation:

  • A 41-year-old male non-smoker was diagnosed with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.
  • The patient received initial chemotherapy and immunotherapy, followed by bevacizumab and Abraxane, but experienced disease progression.
  • Germline BRCA2 mutation was identified in the patient.

Findings:

  • Combination therapy with olaparib and anlotinib resulted in a partial response and extended progression-free survival by 5 months.
  • The patient showed significant benefit from targeted therapy despite resistance to prior treatments.

Implications:

  • Metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with BRCA2 mutation can respond well to PARP inhibitors.
  • This finding expands the potential use of olaparib to a broader spectrum of BRCA-mutated cancers.
  • Targeted therapy offers a viable option for patients with advanced lung cancer who have developed resistance to conventional treatments.