Olaparib: A tale of two dosage forms

Semin Oncol. 2019 Feb;46(1):100-101. doi: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2018.11.003. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Abstract

Olaparib is the first poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FSA), with three approvals in two different cancer types. The original dosage form of olaparib was a 50 mg capsule, requiring 16 capsules per day for patients at full dose therapy which prompted development of a tablet dosage form with improved bioavailability. Herein, major trials for olaparib are reviewed and the two dosage forms are compared from a pharmacokinetic and clinical perspective.

Keywords: BRCA; PARP inhibitor; breast cancer; ovarian cancer; pharmacokinetics.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biological Availability
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pharmacokinetics*
  • Phthalazines / pharmacokinetics
  • Phthalazines / therapeutic use*
  • Piperazines / pharmacokinetics
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use*
  • United States
  • United States Food and Drug Administration

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Phthalazines
  • Piperazines
  • olaparib