Niraparib - anyone know anything about this?

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Hi all, I hope this is an appropriate question : I read in the paper that NICE has approved Niraparib for stage III and IV ovarian cancers from the start of treatment. They report that this is a 'major milestone' as it has been found to significantly delay progression of the cancer. Apparently it's a PARP inhibitor but is not restricted to patients with a BRCA mutation.

I haven't yet seen my doctor to discuss it with her, but wondered if anyone had any experience of this and what the benefit might really be?

Georgette over 3 years ago

Hi,

You are right in saying it is a parp inhibitor. Parp inhibitors can be taken by ladies who are BRCA Negative as well as positive. Like all of these drugs there is no guarantee that they work for everyone, but so many benefit from them. I believe they have recently changed the ruling for Niraparib as you have read, but generally they have been given to ladies that have a recurrence and have had two lots of Platinum based chemo such as Carboplatin.

I am taking Rucaparib, which is also a parp inhibitor. I had my first recurrence last year & finished chemo Oct 2020. I had Fallopian tube cancer high grade serous diagnosed originally in November 2015. So far Rucaparib is working for me & I am hoping that it will continue to do so. My CA125 is 11.

Hopefully this answers your question. Take care, Georgette.

Rikl123 over 3 years ago in reply to Georgette

Hi Georgette, thanks for the reply. I believe that the 'news' is based around the fact that rather than waiting for a recurrence, Niraparib is now being given to stage III & IV as part of first treatments and has been found to be beneficial. I agree that not everything works for everyone, but I guess it's good news that another drug is available from start of treatment for all patients (not just those with BRCA mutation) that has been found to have significant benefits.

Really good to hear that you're doing well on your treatment