How it is administered

Olaparib is taken by mouth as a tablet. The usual recommended dose is 300 mg twice daily, with or without food. Tablets should be swallowed whole and not chewed, crushed, dissolved, or divided. If a dose is missed, the next dose should be taken at the scheduled time. Dose adjustments may be needed for patients with moderate kidney problems or when used with certain other medications.

How it works

Olaparib is a type of targeted cancer therapy known as a PARP inhibitor. PARP enzymes help repair damaged DNA in cells. Many cancer cells, especially those with certain genetic changes (such as BRCA mutations), depend heavily on PARP to survive. By blocking PARP, olaparib prevents cancer cells from repairing their DNA, leading to cell death, especially in cells already weakened by other DNA repair defects.

This mechanism is particularly effective in cancers that have mutations in genes involved in DNA repair, such as BRCA1, BRCA2, and other homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes. By exploiting the cancer cells' weaknesses, olaparib helps slow or stop the growth of tumors. It may be used alone or in combination with other medications, depending on the type of cancer.

Who Should take it

Olaparib is used to treat adults with certain types of cancers that have specific genetic features. For blood cancer, its main relevance is in patients with solid tumors (like ovarian, breast, pancreatic, or prostate cancer) that have mutations in BRCA or other HRR genes. It is not specifically indicated for blood cancers such as leukemia or lymphoma, but it is important for patients with a history of these cancers or those at risk to discuss with their healthcare provider if olaparib is appropriate.

Patients are selected for olaparib treatment based on genetic testing to identify mutations in BRCA or other HRR genes. It is often used as maintenance therapy after initial successful chemotherapy, or in combination with other medications for advanced or metastatic cancers.

Who should not take it

Olaparib should not be taken by anyone who is allergic to it or any of its ingredients. There are no absolute contraindications listed, but caution is needed in patients with a history of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as these conditions have been reported in some patients taking olaparib.

Pregnant women should not take olaparib due to the risk of harm to the unborn baby. It is also not recommended for use in pediatric patients, as safety and effectiveness have not been established in children. Patients with severe kidney or liver problems should discuss risks and benefits with their healthcare provider.

Commonly used with

Olaparib can be used alone or in combination with other medications, depending on the type of cancer. For example, it is sometimes combined with bevacizumab for ovarian cancer or with abiraterone and prednisone for certain prostate cancers. When used in combination, your doctor will carefully monitor for side effects and adjust doses as needed.

Commonly tested with

Olaparib has been tested in combination with several other cancer treatments, including platinum-based chemotherapies, bevacizumab, and abiraterone (plus prednisone or prednisolone) in clinical trials for solid tumors. It is also studied with other targeted therapies and immunotherapies in ongoing research, especially for cancers with specific genetic mutations.