Recurrent Ovarian Cancer with BRCAness Phenotype: A Treatment Challenge

Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death among women with gynecologic malignancies. The relapse rate is high after platinum-based therapy, with the effectiveness of subsequent treatment lines decreasing over time. Recent data suggest the benefit of maintenance therapy with niraparib in platinum-sensitive recurrent disease.

We report a case series of five women with advanced ovarian cancer and BRCAness phenotype who responded favorably, and in some cases with long-term response, to maintenance therapy with niraparib. Toxicities were as expected and generally manageable. Two patients developed grade 2/3 hematological toxicity, which resolved with treatment suspension and subsequent dose reductions, and one patient reported a rare skin toxicity while responding to full-dose niraparib treatment, which was controlled with photoprotection and sunscreen.

This case series highlights the role of PARP1/2 inhibitors as a new standard of care as maintenance therapy for recurrent platinum-sensitive high-grade ovarian cancer, irrespective of BRCA status.