Question for the experts

[Manchesterlady]

Hi I have just been reading about a drug called niraparp . Is anyone on this , or has heard about it ?

[Lyndy]

Yes..it’s one of the Parp inhibitors like olaparib. Access is quite restricted to these very expensive new drugs. I am BRCA 1 and on my first recurrence. Usually olaparib is only offered with your third chemo. One option is to sign up to a trial. These drugs were developed with BRCA in mind but I think they are beginning to use them with non BRCA too now. xx

[Spes]

The PARP inhibitors are used primarily as a maintenance treatment (same as Avastin) so you need to be in remission first before they will be considered as an option. There is evidence that they can extend remission.

[Hidden]

Unless you're BRCA+ you're not currently likely to get one of these drugs as standard of care, hence the suggestion of trials. Generally you need to have had several lines of chemo and to be within a certain time frame of finishing the last platinum based one. I'm on Niraparib on a compassionate use scheme, but I've had 4 lines of chemo. NICE is appraising Niraparib currently, due to report in the summer.

[Manchesterlady in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply . I’m starting on carboplat next week . I am very frightened as how I’m going to be .

[Hidden]

You'll be fine.