FDA Approves Olaparib for Frontline Maintenance Treatment in Ovarian Cancer

(December 20, 2018) Earlier this year a phase III clinical trial, known as SOLO-1, showed that frontline olaparib (Lynparza) can reduce the risk of disease progression or death by up to 70% in women with BRCA 1 or 2 positive, advanced stage epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers. Those included in the study received cytoreductive surgery and had a partial or full response to platinum based chemotherapy before starting olaparib. Just yesterday, the FDA approved the PARP inhibitor for first-line maintenance for women with advanced, BRCA positive cancers, which is the first of its kind.

“The ability to offer this important first-line maintenance treatment option to eligible patients may slow down or even stop the natural course of disease progression,” said Kathleen Moore, the co-PI of the SOLO-1 trial.