PARP inhibitors in the management of breast cancer: current data and future prospects

BMC Med. 2015 Aug 13:13:188. doi: 10.1186/s12916-015-0425-1.

Abstract

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) are enzymes involved in DNA-damage repair. Inhibition of PARPs is a promising strategy for targeting cancers with defective DNA-damage repair, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation-associated breast and ovarian cancers. Several PARP inhibitors are currently in trials in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and metastatic settings for the treatment of ovarian, BRCA-mutated breast, and other cancers. We herein review the development of PARP inhibitors and the basis for the excitement surrounding these agents, their use as single agents and in combinations, as well as their toxicities, mechanisms of acquired resistance, and companion diagnostics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • DNA Repair*
  • Female
  • Genes, BRCA1*
  • Genes, BRCA2*
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors