Niraparib in the maintenance treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer: safety and efficacy

Introduction: Approximately 300,000 women worldwide are diagnosed each year with ovarian cancer. Frequently diagnosed in late stages with ambiguous symptomatology, ovarian cancer has a low survival rate. Areas covered: Niraparib, a PARP inhibitor, was approved in 2020 for use in the maintenance treatment of ovarian cancer regardless of biomarker status. Included in the review are PRIMA (NCT02655016), NOVA (NCT01847274), AVANOVA2 (NCT02354131), and QUADRA (NCT02354586) trials which herald the advent of using maintenance oral therapies in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Additionally, with new combination drug trials, exciting avenues for treatment are also discussed with the FIRST (NCT03016338) trial. Expert opinion: Maintenance niraparib treatment regardless of genetic profile offers a new modality for the treatment of ovarian cancer with a low side effect profile and importantly oral dosing. New combinations of synergistic immunotherapeutics, and antiangiogenesis therapies with niraparib also offer exciting new frontiers for patients with ovarian cancer.

Automated summary

Ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed in late stages with ambiguous symptoms and a low survival rate. Niraparib, a PARP inhibitor, offers a new treatment modality for ovarian cancer patients through oral maintenance therapy regardless of biomarker status, with potential for new frontiers in treatment. New combination drug trials also present exciting avenues for treatment with promising outcomes.