Taking PARP Inhibitors During the Pandemic
- Unlike many chemotherapy drugs, PARP inhibitors are given orally, and can be safely administered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients take the pills at home, limiting their contact with others
- The drugs’ side effects can include immune system suppression, so patients will need to have regular labs drawn to monitor their blood levels
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many cancer specialists—especially in cities and hospitals hard hit by the virus—have had to update their protocols and approach to cancer treatment. By using telemedicine, electronic prescription management, and in some cases temporarily postponing surgery or halting chemo, they try to limit their patients’ exposure to infection while still administering effective cancer treatment.
Medications that can be taken in pill form are generally safer for cancer patients than drugs given by IV, which are administered in a medical setting and increase a patient’s risk of exposure to the virus. PARP inhibitors are an oral class of anti-cancer drugs that work by targeting cancer’s genetic material, preventing the cells from repairing themselves so they die off rather than spread. PARP inhibitors can be prescribed electronically and delivered directly to patients at home.
Follow-up visits with a provider can be done via video-conferencing calls to monitor side-effects and discuss dose adjustments, though patients still need to get their blood drawn so their doctor can monitor any side effects or toxicities.
“Incorporating PARP inhibitors during the COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity, because it might mean someone doesn’t have to come into an infusion center to get their medication,” says Dr. Ramez Eskander, gynecologic oncologist at University of California, San Diego. “I personally haven’t had to transition a patient off of one treatment onto a PARP specifically to avoid them coming into the infusion center. I’ve had conversations with patients about … maintenance therapy in the context of COVID-19. I think a lot of this is very regional and institution dependent.”
Dr. Eskander says that San Diego, has experienced “a relatively low impact from the virus” so most doctors have been able to continue treatments as usual. But some doctors in areas with higher levels of COVID infection have urged patients go for lab work closer to their homes and do regular check-ins by telemedicine rather than office visits–both ways to help patients avoid possible contact with the virus. And because of recent FDA approvals making PARP inhibitors available to more women at more stages of treatment, “If a patient is an appropriate candidate and elects to initiate treatment or transition, providers have been able to offer this to them. It’s a beneficial situation,” says Dr. Eskander.
More Ovarian Cancer Patients Are Eligible for PARP Inhibitors
Initially PARP inhibitors were recommended for women with a BRCA mutation (a genetic mutation that indicates a woman is at greater risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer), as studies have shown these patients respond especially well to the drugs after recurrence. However newer research has shown that women with the BRCA gene mutation (and indeed almost all women), can consider using PARP inhibitors throughout their treatment. Most recently the Food and Drug Administration approved niraparib (brand name ZEJULA) for almost all women with ovarian cancer, regardless of whether or not they have the BRCA mutation, as part of an initial course of treatment.
This is especially good news during COVID-19.
PARP Inhibitors Are Not Risk-Free
PARP inhibitors can cause serious side effects, and these are especially important to consider in the era of COVID-19. “The important thing for patients to understand is that PARP inhibitors can initially cause immunosuppression,” one oncologist warns. “This primary immunosuppression can put patients at a greater risk of infection because PARP inhibitors are affecting their blood counts.”
Immunosuppression is less of a risk for patients who’ve been on PARP inhibitors for a longer period of time since their blood counts usually start to stabilize. However, they still need to exercise caution to prevent infections by diseases like COVID-19.
PARP Patients Still Need Blood Draws
Though cancer patients are being kept away from medical settings as much as possible, those on a PARP inhibitor still need to get regular labs drawn, especially in the early phase of treatment, when blood counts must be monitored more frequently. Afterward, their provider can set up a telemedicine meeting to go over the results, avoiding another in-person office visit, but allowing them to safely monitor patients and adjust treatments if necessary.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Ramez Eskander, MD, is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist at UCSD. Read More
Taking PARP Inhibitors During the Pandemic
- Unlike many chemotherapy drugs, PARP inhibitors are given orally, and can be safely administered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients take the pills at home, limiting their contact with others
- The drugs’ side effects can include immune system suppression, so patients will need to have regular labs drawn to monitor their blood levels
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many cancer specialists—especially in cities and hospitals hard hit by the virus—have had to
update their protocols and approach to cancer treatment. By using telemedicine, electronic prescription management, and in some cases temporarily postponing surgery or halting chemo, they try to limit their patients’ exposure to infection while still administering effective cancer treatment.
Medications that can be taken in pill form are generally safer for cancer patients than drugs given by IV, which are administered in a medical setting and increase a patient’s risk of exposure to the virus. PARP inhibitors are an oral class of anti-cancer drugs that work by targeting cancer’s genetic material, preventing the cells from repairing themselves so they die off rather than spread. PARP inhibitors can be prescribed electronically and delivered directly to patients at home.
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Follow-up visits with a provider can be done via video-conferencing calls to monitor side-effects and discuss dose adjustments, though patients still need to get their blood drawn so their doctor can monitor any side effects or toxicities.
“Incorporating PARP inhibitors during the COVID-19 pandemic is an opportunity, because it might mean someone doesn’t have to come into an infusion center to get their medication,” says Dr. Ramez Eskander, gynecologic oncologist at University of California, San Diego. “I personally haven’t had to transition a patient off of one treatment onto a PARP specifically to avoid them coming into the infusion center. I’ve had conversations with patients about … maintenance therapy in the context of COVID-19. I think a lot of this is very regional and institution dependent.”
Dr. Eskander says that San Diego, has experienced “a relatively low impact from the virus” so most doctors have been able to continue treatments as usual. But some doctors in areas with higher levels of COVID infection have urged patients go for lab work closer to their homes and do regular check-ins by telemedicine rather than office visits–both ways to help patients avoid possible contact with the virus. And because of recent FDA approvals making PARP inhibitors available to more women at more stages of treatment, “If a patient is an appropriate candidate and elects to initiate treatment or transition, providers have been able to offer this to them. It’s a beneficial situation,” says Dr. Eskander.
More Ovarian Cancer Patients Are Eligible for PARP Inhibitors
Initially PARP inhibitors were recommended for women with a BRCA mutation (a genetic mutation that indicates a woman is at greater risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer), as studies have shown these patients respond especially well to the drugs after recurrence. However newer research has shown that women with the BRCA gene mutation (and indeed almost all women), can consider using PARP inhibitors throughout their treatment. Most recently the Food and Drug Administration approved niraparib (brand name ZEJULA) for almost all women with ovarian cancer, regardless of whether or not they have the BRCA mutation, as part of an initial course of treatment.
This is especially good news during COVID-19.
PARP Inhibitors Are Not Risk-Free
PARP inhibitors can cause serious side effects, and these are especially important to consider in the era of COVID-19. “The important thing for patients to understand is that PARP inhibitors can initially cause immunosuppression,” one oncologist warns. “This primary immunosuppression can put patients at a greater risk of infection because PARP inhibitors are affecting their blood counts.”
Immunosuppression is less of a risk for patients who’ve been on PARP inhibitors for a longer period of time since their blood counts usually start to stabilize. However, they still need to exercise caution to prevent infections by diseases like COVID-19.
PARP Patients Still Need Blood Draws
Though cancer patients are being kept away from medical settings as much as possible, those on a PARP inhibitor still need to get regular labs drawn, especially in the early phase of treatment, when blood counts must be monitored more frequently. Afterward, their provider can set up a telemedicine meeting to go over the results, avoiding another in-person office visit, but allowing them to safely monitor patients and adjust treatments if necessary.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Ramez Eskander, MD, is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist at UCSD. Read More
