PATIENTS with high-risk, BRCA-positive breast cancer receiving the PARP inhibitor olaparib after standard treatment continue to experience significant survival benefits, according to 6-year follow-up results from the Phase III OlympiA trial. These findings were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) 2024.
The OlympiA trial, a multicenter, double-blind study, enrolled 1,836 patients with HER2-negative, BRCA-positive breast cancer who were randomly assigned to receive either olaparib or a placebo for 1 year following chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Key endpoints included invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) and distant disease-free survival (DDFS).
After a median follow-up of 6.1 years, olaparib-treated patients showed a 35% reduced risk of invasive and distant recurrence. At 6 years, 79.6% of patients on olaparib were free of invasive recurrence, compared to 70.3% in the placebo group. Similarly, 83.5% remained free of distant recurrence, versus 75.7% in the placebo group. Notably, the treatment also demonstrated a 28% reduction in overall risk of death.
“These data underscore the importance of identifying BRCA mutation carriers early in their treatment journey to optimize outcomes with olaparib,” said Judy E. Garber, MD, MPH, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, who presented the results.
No significant increase in myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia—rare complications of breast cancer treatment—was observed, enhancing the drug’s safety profile. Additionally, secondary BRCA-associated cancers were fewer in the olaparib group (38 cases) than in the placebo group (57 cases).
Garber emphasized the potential for expanding PARP inhibitor use to lower-risk BRCA-associated breast cancers and even preventive applications. “This evidence suggests the possibility of safe, effective oral agents for cancer interception,” she noted.
These findings further establish olaparib’s role in improving both disease-free and overall survival, offering renewed hope for patients with high-risk BRCA-positive breast cancer.
Reference: San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. (2024, December 11). PARP Inhibition Shows Long-term Survival Benefits for Patients With High-risk, BRCA-positive Breast Cancer in OlympiA Trial. Presented at SABCS 2024.
Anaya Malik | AMJ
