Expert Insights: Addressing Critical Questions
in the Evolving Management of Advanced Ovarian Cancer
A CME/CNE Activity, featured on Medscape
September 1, 2018
Archived, for viewing purposes only.

Purpose

The use of PARP inhibitors has changed the landscape of ovarian cancer therapy. The rationale for the development of PARP inhibition is based on the concept of synthetic lethality, in which a cell can survive a deficiency of one gene/gene product, but may die if there is a deficiency in a combination of genes/gene products. In ovarian tumors with BRCA1/2 deficiency, inhibition of PARP imposes an intolerable burden of DNA damage repair deficiency and may induce cell death. However, there is a need for increased awareness and understanding of its mechanism of action and place in therapy as new therapies and data are emerging along the disease continuum from advanced disease into maintenance and upfront therapeutic settings. In this CME/CNE ancillary activity, leading experts, clinicians, and researchers will bridge identified educational/practice gaps that will help optimize the clinical role of PARP inhibition in the treatment of advanced metastatic ovarian cancer and as maintenance treatment by providing expert perspectives in the selection and sequencing strategies in patients with relapsed platinum-sensitive disease within the context of current options and ongoing/planned studies. The faculty will discuss strategies to minimize potential toxicities and improve long-term tolerability, and highlight strategies and clinical trials for novel combinations of PARP inhibitors that will enhance efficacy in recurrent disease.

Learning Objectives

After participating in this CME/CNE activity, learners should be able to:

• Summarize the expanding clinical evidence for PARP inhibition in the treatment of advanced metastatic ovarian cancer
• Interpret clinical investigator perspectives in selecting and sequencing strategies of PARP inhibitors for maintenance therapy in patients with relapsed, platinum-sensitive OC within the context of current options and ongoing/planned studies
• Discuss strategies to minimize potential toxicities and improve tolerability with long-term therapy
• Identify the rationale and review clinical trials for novel combinations of PARP inhibitors with other targeted therapies in recurrent disease
• Review validated genetic testing platforms for patients with OC, and use these assessments to guide treatment planning

Agenda Faculty

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