Olaparib: Indications, Mechanism of action and Side Effects

Indications of Olaparib

Olaparib is an oral, highly potent PARP inhibitor-based targeted anticancer drug. It can be used to treat a variety of cancers, including:

Breast cancer

olaparib can be used to treat HER2-negative breast cancers with alterations in the BRCA gene, such as early-stage (primary) breast cancers with a high risk of recurrence, or breast cancers that have spread (locally advanced breast cancer or secondary breast cancer).

ovarian cancer

Olaparib is also used to treat ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancers that are genetically positive for BRCA gene abnormalities or HRD.

Mechanism of action

Olaparib is a selective and potent inhibitor of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) (PARP1 and PARP2).PARP is a protein that helps damaged cells repair themselves. Olaparib takes advantage of the fact that cancer cells with mutations in the BRCA gene are defective in DNA repair, thereby inducing cell death.

Side Effects

Common side effects of Olaparib include: increased risk of infection (decreased white blood cells), bruising and bleeding (decreased platelet count), difficulty breathing, paleness, fatigue, feeling unwell, diarrhoea, decreased appetite, indigestion, changes in taste, headache, dizziness, cough and shortness of breath.

Occasional side effects of Olaparib include: changes in the way the liver and kidneys work, which are usually asymptomatic but which can appear in blood tests; mouth ulcers, pain in the upper part of the stomach and a rash.

Rare side effects include: secondary cancer, inflammation of the lungs, swelling under the skin and severe allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can lead to rash, shortness of breath, redness or swelling of the face and dizziness. Contact your doctor if any serious adverse reactions occur.