OLAPARIB now on the benefit list in Australia, would like advice on this drug.

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi ladies,

as usual I turn to you all for advice , just read this mornings paper the drug Olaparib also called Lynpaiza will now be on the benefit list here in Australia.

I'm on a 5 week break from chemo at the moment, then on taxtol as a single agent my oncologist said last option.

So would like to know about Olaparib and will ask her when I go back.

When I started on this journey 3 years ago, I just went in had my chemo and asked no questions, then I found this site and realized you have to take some control,

Now I read as much as possible about treatments new and old and do ask questions with your help.

Thank you ladies

Cheers Lorraine xx

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Lorraine. What do you want to know. Ive been on Olaparib trial for 3 years x Kathy xx

[lorraine71-Australia in reply to Katmal-UK]

Hi Katmal,

Thank you for replying as I said I only read in the paper on Tuesday that it was now approved in Australia , are you in Australia?

Have you got the BRCA positive?.

You have been on Olaparib for 3 years that is great,I hope it works for you and give you many many more years.

Cheers Lorraine xx

[Katmal-UK in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

Hi Lorraine. Im in the uk and yes Im BRAC2 positive. So far it seems to be working. My consultant said theres about 15% of women who are having long term remission and I appear to be one and having minimal side effects. I do hope you are able to access it x Kathy xx

[Spes]

Hi Lorraine,

Olaparib is an option if you are BRCA positive. I've just been tested and I don't have the gene mutation so it isn't an option for me🙁 Not having it would normally be seen as good news but that's the wacky world of OC for you 😜

Spes x

[Bluehen in reply to Spes]

Lorraine, I am not BRCA positive but It have started a trial with olaparib .I was told this new trial was to see if it wil work on women that are negative. I was also told that you can be BRCA negative but your tumor can be positive. So far it's work well. My 125 count is down 76 points in one month. Feeling ok except for nausea and weakness. . Not near as bad as chemo though so. I'm not complaining

[Spes in reply to Bluehen]

Hello Bluehen, this is very interesting. Are you in the US? I have read that trials there of the new Parp inhibitor Niraparib have shown positive results for non BRCA people, but not as good as for BRCA. Didn't know about Olaparib trials. Here in the UK i have been told PARP inhibitors aren't the way to go for me, but I am still hoping trials and new drugs might change that in the next couple of years!

[Notaa in reply to Bluehen]

Bluehen is right, tumours can have a BRCA mutation (somatic mutation) even if your blood test didn't show a genetic mutation. Ask about tumour testing for BRCA. Olaparib trials also showed that it works in some non-BRCA patients. Probably due to genetic mutations or tumour cell changes that aren't understood yet. Niraparib and rucaparib are similar therapies to olaparib. Ask about clinical trials.