Olaparib acts as an inhibitor of the enzyme poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), and is termed a PARP inhibitor. BRCA1/2 mutations may be genetically predisposed to development of some forms of cancer, and may be resistant to other forms of cancer treatment. However, these cancers sometimes have a unique vulnerability, as the cancer cells have increased reliance on PARP to repair their DNA and enable them to continue dividing. This means that drugs which selectively inhibit PARP may be of benefit if the cancers are susceptible to this treatment.
Olaparib is a cancer medicine that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.
Olaparib tablets and capsules are used to treat advanced ovarian cancer in women with a certain abnormal inherited gene who have received at least 3 prior types of chemotherapy.
Olaparib tablets are also used to help maintain your body's response to prior chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or peritoneal cancer when the cancer has come back.
Olaparib tablets are also used to treat HER2-negative breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body before or after prior chemotherapy or hormonal treatment.
