Clinical differences among the PARP inhibitors in the first-line treatment of advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma

Despite favorable patient response rates to first-line chemotherapy, 5-year overall survival rates in ovarian cancer are dismal. Fortunately, the inclusion of PARP inhibitors (e.g. olaparib, niraparib, and rucaparib) following the completion of primary induction chemotherapy, has conferred improved progression-free survival rates.

There are treatment outcome differences among the various PARP inhibitors that coincide with a patient's specific homologous recombination deficit (HRD) status; moreover, only single-agent olaparib and olaparib with bevacizumab have conferred a 5-year overall survival benefit. In the current review, we recount the clinical differences associated with the available PARP inhibitors in the management of advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma.

The inclusion of PARP inhibitors has significantly improved survival benefits in advanced-stage ovarian cancer, especially among patients with an identifiable HRD. While there are tolerability differences inherent to the specific PARP inhibitors, not to mention approval distinctions, olaparib is the only PARP inhibitor that has demonstrated consistent overall survival benefits.