MIAMI BEACH – Driven by efficacy demonstrated in ovarian cancer, a number of PARP inhibitors are in development and hold promise for treatment of breast cancer as well, including patients positive for the BRCA mutation.
Interestingly, early evidence suggests these agents could also treat BRCA-negative women, potentially expanding their future clinical utility, Kimberly L. Blackwell, MD, said in a video interview at the annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, held by Physicians’ Education Resource.
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Although it’s early, PARP inhibitors potentially could also be combined with standard platinum-based chemotherapy agents, although toxicity and the optimal timing of the regimens need further evaluation, said Dr. Blackwell, professor of medicine and assistant professor of radiation oncology at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.
Approval of the first PARP inhibitor indicated for breast cancer is expected in 2017, she said.
Dr. Blackwell received institutional grant support from AstraZeneca and Pfizer.