For women with ovarian cancer looking at options for PARP inhibitors–drugs that kill off cancer cells–there are three main types: Olaparib, Rucaparib, and Niraparib. A leading specialist tells SurvivorNet that each PARP inhibitor is similar in function. All three treatments block an enzyme—known as PARP—used by cells to repair damage to their DNA. Without normally-functioning PARP, tumor cells will accumulate more and more DNA damage, and eventually die. So how do you choose between the three varieties of PARP? Dr. Oliver Dorigo, a Gynecologic Oncologist at Stanford Medical School, recommends that you facilitate discussions with your doctor to see which PARP inhibitor be the right fit.
Physician Preferences in Decision-Making
Dr. Dorigo says the decision will come down to a discussion with your physician, who will make a recommendation for a PARP inhibitor based on your personal circumstances and past experiences. For example, a patient with a previous history of significant damage to their bone marrow or who experienced heavy blood loss or anemia should shy away from certain PARP inhibitors known for altering blood counts.
Side Effects
Side effects for PARP inhibitors include anemia, gastrointestinal discomfort like nausea and vomiting, and fatigue. Each PARP inhibitor may have varying intensities of these side effects for different patients, but the medical community hasn’t gathered enough data to be able to create strict guidelines on PARP inhibitors. Dr. Dorigo says, “I think we are about to generate better guidelines, better criteria, to select the most appropriate PARP inhibitor for each patient. This is data that we will see in the next few years.” However, Dr. Dorigo also emphasizes that you should bring any knowledge you have of the other drugs to your provider and create an open discussion to decide which of the three is best. “I am personally open to a discussion about all three different choices,” states Dr. Dorigo.
Learn more about the side effects of PARP inhibitors here.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Dr. Oliver Dorigo is a gynecologic oncologist at Stanford University Medical Center. Read More
For women with ovarian cancer looking at options for PARP inhibitors–drugs that kill off cancer cells–there are three main types: Olaparib, Rucaparib, and Niraparib. A leading specialist tells SurvivorNet that each PARP inhibitor is similar in function. All three treatments block an enzyme—known as PARP—used by cells to repair damage to their DNA. Without normally-functioning PARP, tumor cells will accumulate more and more DNA damage, and eventually die. So how do you choose between the three varieties of PARP? Dr. Oliver Dorigo, a Gynecologic Oncologist at Stanford Medical School, recommends that you facilitate discussions with your doctor to see which PARP inhibitor be the right fit.
Physician Preferences in Decision-Making
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Dr. Dorigo says the decision will come down to a discussion with your physician, who will make a recommendation for a PARP inhibitor based on your personal circumstances and past experiences. For example, a patient with a previous history of significant damage to their bone marrow or who experienced heavy blood loss or anemia should shy away from certain PARP inhibitors known for altering blood counts.
Side Effects
Side effects for PARP inhibitors include anemia, gastrointestinal discomfort like nausea and vomiting, and fatigue. Each PARP inhibitor may have varying intensities of these side effects for different patients, but the medical community hasn’t gathered enough data to be able to create strict guidelines on PARP inhibitors. Dr. Dorigo says, “I think we are about to generate better guidelines, better criteria, to select the most appropriate PARP inhibitor for each patient. This is data that we will see in the next few years.” However, Dr. Dorigo also emphasizes that you should bring any knowledge you have of the other drugs to your provider and create an open discussion to decide which of the three is best. “I am personally open to a discussion about all three different choices,” states Dr. Dorigo.
Learn more about the side effects of PARP inhibitors here.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Dr. Oliver Dorigo is a gynecologic oncologist at Stanford University Medical Center. Read More
