PARP inhibitors, anyone?

• By Shearaw
• Posted July 2, 2008 at 1:32 pm
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Hi maria,

I have heard from the Dana Farber and Mass General researches that PARP inhibitor research is very promising. Since your post piqued my interest, I found the two companies that are sponsoring private Phase II clinical trials - Astra Zeneca and Bi-Par. Many of the trials have yet to start recruiting patients. It might be best to contact the companies directly. Here are some links describing their trials:
http://www.astrazenecaclinicaltrials.com/article/525925.aspx
http://www.biparsciences.com/pipeline.html

Keep us posted, I hope you find the trial you are looking for, and of course, get good results.

Sheara W

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• By nlachance
• Posted July 3, 2008 at 11:37 am
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Maria:
I too have stage 3c and I was dx in May of 06. I've had IP chemo 12 rounds of taxol and cisplatin. Then 6 rounds of taxol and carboplatinum last year when I recurred. Now, i'm on my 2nd recurrence and I'm looking into a clinical trial at sloan kettering, being offered by Dr. Katherine Bell-Mcguinn. It is using a parp inhibitor and topotecan. I've had all of the necessary testing done and now I"m meeting with my oncologist in Syracuse on Tuesday to discuss it. If you need further info, please call me on my cell at 3154084761 and I'll let you know what I've found so far,
best of luck
in hope
Nora

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• By Cancergrrl
• Posted July 4, 2008 at 1:32 pm
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I'm also very interested in any data on PARP inhibitors. I'm BRCA1+ also and currently on Topotecan and Avastin for my first recurrence. If this regime doesn't work, the next step is to try a PARP inhibitor.

Please keep us posted!

Thanks,
Margaret

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• By hr
• Posted July 4, 2008 at 1:51 pm
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I was looking for the single arm parp study for my sister and spoke to almost everyone across the country. About 6 months ago I was told that it was closed. Not sure about the next phase of it but then you have to worry about the placebo arm, don't you? At this point, my sister ended up doing another 6 months of chemo...carbo and gemzar only. Now, the dr. is doing 1 round of chemo every 3 months,forever, to make sure that the OVCA does not recur. It was too emotional for her so this way the qurterly hit of chemo should keep it away. Her body responds very quickly to the drugs. Not sure if this is commom place but dr. said it will work.

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• By Brandi
• Posted July 28, 2008 at 8:27 pm
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I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC Ov Ca in December 2007. I just finished 6 rounds of IV/IP Taxol and Cisplatin in May 2008. My CA-125 was 8 after I finished treatment but is back up to 40 as of July 18. At this point I am waiting to have a PET scan and then to talk to my doctors about treatment options.

I just found out today that I have the BRCA 1 mutation. The doctors are thinking about recommending a PARP inhibitor trial for me. I am looking at them on www.clinicaltrials.gov and found that there are a couple of phase II trials, the same ones mentioned by Sheara W. Has anyone found out anything further? MariaDe have you gotten any more information. One of the trials does have a chemo arm I think but it says that you can get the PARP inhibitor later if you had the chemo arm.

My best to all those struggling with this dreadful situation.

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• By davidovm
• Posted July 29, 2008 at 8:26 am
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Hi MariaDe,
I am BRCA 1 + and recurring for the third time with stage 3c-4 Ov Ca. My CA 125 is at 11.5, and I have no measurable tumors,(last time it was nearor on my liver). My doctor wanted me to go on PARP inhibitor regime only, or with other chemo. After soem research I also found info on clinical trials using PARP inhibitors that were suspended in december with no reason given. The drug was made by a British company and AstraZeneca was doing the clinical study. I learned during my research that patients with the BRCA 1+ have a much lower PPAR inhibitor activity (this enzyme is critical for the repair of the cells when they are damaged during the cell replacement process RNa translation). If this type of drug would work we could realy be cured. As we proceed with the many attemps for more chemo or new chemo let's hope that they will keep us alive while we wait.
Please keep us informed if you learn anythig new!
Good luck,
Martha (NJ)

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• By AUNTB3
• Posted June 25, 2009 at 8:22 am
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NORA,
I HOPE ALL IS WELL, I SEEN YOUR POST FROM LAST YEAR ABOUT THE PARP INHIBITORS AND THE TRIALS AT SLOAN.MY SISTER IN LAW IS STAGE 3 OVARIAN..WE ARE ALSO FROM SYRACUSE AND WOULD LOVE TO GET ANY INFO WE COULD .WHO IS YOUR DR.??THANKS SO MUCH!! YOU MAY REACH ME DIRECTLY AT 315-751-6932 BRENDA

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• By melf
• Posted June 25, 2009 at 8:45 am
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The Today show reported on the PARPs today (Thursday). Showed real promise.

Melf

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• By Kristardh
• Posted June 27, 2009 at 12:08 pm
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I was diagnosed in June 2006 with stage III ovarian cancer. I had taxol and cisplatinum. The first 2 rounds, they tried IP in addition to my regular port. The IP port failed and did a lot of tissue damage. After 4 more regular rounds, I was told I was in remission in January 2007. I was diagnosed again in July 2008, had surgery in Sept. 2008 and started 6 rounds of chemo with carboplatinum. After 3 rounds, they did a PET scan and the cancer was growing back. They added Gemzar, and it is shrinking very minutely and slowly. I am in the middle of my ninth round of both (12th overall) and it is really taking a toll on me, with no end in sight. I do not have the genetic defect for ovarian cancer or breast cancer. I desparately want to get into a PARP study. What do I do? I am willing to go anywhere. Thanks. I can be emailed at KristaRDH@msn.com

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• By nlachance
• Posted June 27, 2009 at 12:48 pm
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Kristen:
I know Memorial Sloan Kettering (website mskcc.org) is doing a parp study and I'm sure if you go on the clinical trial government site you may find others. Good luck. I am also trying to get into that study and will keep you posted if I have any progress. Good luck You are in my prayers.
Love
Nora

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• By Kristardh
• Posted June 27, 2009 at 3:29 pm
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Thanks, Nora. I will check it out. I will, pray for you too.
Love, Krista

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• By MariaDe
• Posted June 28, 2009 at 2:31 pm
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UPDATE FROM MY ORIGINAL POST 7/08:

On March 9, 2009 I finally started the clinical trial for ORAL single arm PARP Inhibitor (AZD 2281)!! My CA-125 started at 217 rose to 228 on March 25th, dropped to 211 on April 1st, 146 on April 8th, 63 on May 6th and 36 on June 3rd!!!! The side effects are minimal- fatigue and mild nausea (mainly when taking the 8 pills at a time). Other than that I'm thrilled with it as is my Dr. (Dr. Jason Konner at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC). I don't know of any trials for non BRCA people as it didn't apply to me but Elise Kohn from the NCA in Bethesda, MD is always a good resource on trials. Good luck to everyone!!

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• By annabelle
• Posted July 25, 2009 at 9:35 pm
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Would Mr. Pawals please offer insight into the PARP trials? I have come to appreciate your interest in ovarian cancer and new treatments.
I am hoping to start a phase 2 trial in Toronto, and I have truly never seen my gyn. oncologist so excited about a new form of therapy.
If this new trial(which is for ovca patients who do not carry the BRCA gene) proves to be as successful as the initial British trial,maybe the drug would be fast-tracked and made available to everybody in need.
Here,s to HOPE,
Anne

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• By Gia
• Posted July 26, 2009 at 6:04 am
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annabelle, Did I understand you correctly that you are starting a study with the PARP inhibitors for patients that are NOT BRAC+? If so, do you know the drug company? This is very exciting and I am happy for you to get into this study. Please keep us updated on how you are doing. Best Gia

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• By KST
• Posted July 26, 2009 at 8:33 am
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I too am interested in study(s) with PARP INHIBITORS for patients that are NOT BRAC +. Does anyone out there know of such study(s)? I am on my 4th chemo since November, 2007 and afraid I might be running out of chemo's. Best to everyone.

KST

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• By annabelle
• Posted July 26, 2009 at 11:23 am
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I meet tomorrow in Toronto where I should find out if I qualify for the trial.I am tentatively signed up. (only 12 women involved in the trial) I had a ct. scan last week to make sure there was SUFFICIENT measurable disease for a safe biopsy.As I have a small amount of disease in the pelvis, this could be a problem. What a catch 22! Needless to say, I am experiencing a huge amount of stress because it seems like an incredible opportunity.These PARP drugs(olaparib) could change the outlook for many ovarian cancer patients.As I mentioned in my last message, the gyn. oncology department at my cancer hospital had seen very good results with this therapy. They all seemed excited...a situation I haven,t witnessed in four and a half years of dealing with this disease.
My fingers are crossed for ALL of us,
Anne

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• By MariaDe
• Posted July 29, 2009 at 3:21 pm
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Update from June 28, 2009
My CA 125 from yesterday is 17! I am going for a CAT scan on Aug. 20 and am hoping the tumors are paying attention to what looks like great results so far. Here is the link for the PARP story as shown on the "Today" show:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/31512315/ns/health-womens_health/
Good luck to all, Maria

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• By cielo
• Posted August 21, 2009 at 11:01 am
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My Mom was diagnosed with Papilary Seous Carcinoma back in 2006. I am looking for a doctor who especialize in this particular disease. I am desperate to seek help from a specialist.

Also, there was a drug that came out this year called Olaparib that is still on Clinical trial in U.K. I don't know if there are trials available here in the United States but I am more than willing to travel just to try this drug. I am presently residing in Los Angeles California.

Let me give you brief infrormation regarding my Mom's history. She is about 72 yrs old. She had ovarian cancer stage 3 C, and also she carries BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genes. In 2006, she did 2 surgery. Basically, in the first time surgery, they just opened and checked everything and closed it. Then she did 4 times chemo therapy by using carboplatin and taxol. After that the Doctor reopened it and did cytoreductive surgery.. Then, she had received 7 times chemo. In May of 2008, the cancer recured. She's been on chemo therapy for 11 times, which including doxil 5 times, mixture of avastin and cytoxan 6 times. Right now, her CA 125 is around 354, and gradually going up. We do look for the best solution to get her CA 125 controlled. I hope you could give me some advice and suggestions.

Who is the best doctor for BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genes mutation? Where can I get Olaparib or is this the best medicine?

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• By Shearaw
• Posted August 21, 2009 at 12:16 pm
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Hoping that your CAT scan showed excellent results. Keep us posted. :-)

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• By SWV
• Posted October 1, 2009 at 5:52 pm
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Annabelle,
My mother also seed her Dr in Toronto, and has been introduced to clinical trials, there has been mention of PARP but that none were in the works. Where do you see your Dr? She is at Princess Margaret.
Thank you!

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