PARP Inhibitors
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is an enzyme that helps repair DNA damage.
PARP inhibitors are drugs that try to keep cancer cells from repairing damaged tumor DNA, leading to tumor cell death.
Drug name |
Brand name |
Used to treat early or metastatic breast cancer? |
Olaparib |
Lynparza |
Early and metastatic breast cancer |
Talazoparib |
Talzenna |
Metastatic breast cancer |
PARP inhibitors and BRCA1 and BRCA2 inherited gene mutations
PARP inhibitors appear to hold the most promise for people who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) inherited gene mutation [86-87,177-178].
BRCA1/2-related breast cancers have problems repairing tumor DNA. These breast cancers seem to be sensitive to DNA damage caused by PARP inhibitors. Treating BRCA1/2-related breast cancers with a PARP inhibitor makes it harder for the breast cancer to repair itself, leading to tumor cell death.
Learn about genetic testing to guide breast cancer treatment.
Learn more about BRCA1/2 inherited gene mutations.
Olaparib (Lynparza) and early breast cancer treatment
Olaparib (Lynparza) is FDA-approved for the treatment of early breast cancer when:
- The tumor is HER2-negative and
- The tumor has a high risk of recurrence (a return of breast cancer) and
- The person has a BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) inherited gene mutation and has been treated with chemotherapy
Study findings have shown people with a BRCA1/2 gene mutation whose cancers met these criteria and got olaparib had a lower risk of breast cancer recurrence and better survival than those who didn’t get olaparib [179]. Olaparib was given after chemotherapy was completed [179].
Olaparib is a pill. It’s taken twice a day, every day for a year [15].
You start taking olaparib after you’ve completed chemotherapy (and after radiation therapy, if you’re getting radiation therapy) [15]. Olaparib may be taken at the same time as hormone therapy [15].
Talk with your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns about taking your medications.
Learn about survival and the risk of breast cancer recurrence after treatment.
Olaparib and genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 inherited gene mutations
Olaparib is only used to treat people with BRCA1/2 inherited gene mutations. So, you’ll need to get genetic testing for BRCA1/2 inherited gene mutations if olaparib is being considered in your treatment plan.
Learn about genetic testing and genetic counseling.
Learn more about BRCA1/2 inherited gene mutations.
Side effects of olaparib
Before you begin taking olaparib, talk with your health care team about possible side effects and how to manage them.
|
Side Effects |
Olaparib |
Possible side effects include anemia (low red blood cell counts), low white blood cell counts, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. In rare cases, olaparib can cause acute myeloid leukemia. |
Adapted from select source [180]. |
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Learn more about side effects.
Under study – PARP inhibitors and neoadjuvant therapy
When treatment for early breast cancer is given before surgery, it’s called neoadjuvant therapy.
The PARP inhibitors olaparib (Lynparza) and talazoparib (Talzenna) are under study for use in neoadjuvant therapy. Olaparib and talazoparib, each in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, are under study for the treatment of early triple negative breast cancer [88-89,181].
Learn more about neoadjuvant therapy.
PARP inhibitors and metastatic breast cancer treatment
The PARP inhibitors olaparib (Lynparza) and talazoparib (Talzenna) are FDA-approved for the treatment of HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer in people who have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 inherited gene mutation.
Learn more about PARP inhibitors for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Learn about emerging areas in treatment with PARP inhibitors for metastatic breast cancer.
Treatment guidelines
Although the exact treatment for breast cancer varies from person to person, evidence-based guidelines help make sure high-quality care is given. These guidelines are based on the latest research and agreement among experts.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) are respected organizations that regularly review and update their guidelines.
In addition, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has treatment overviews.
Talk with your health care team about which treatment guidelines they follow.
After you get a recommended treatment plan from your health care team, study your treatment options. Together with your health care team, make thoughtful, informed decisions that are best for you. Each treatment has benefits and risks to consider along with your own values and lifestyle.
Prescription drug assistance
Prescription drug costs can quickly become a financial burden for you and your family.
Medicare and many insurance companies offer prescription drug plans. One may already be included in your policy, or you may be able to buy an extra plan for prescriptions.
Olaparib (Lynparza) is a pill, so it’s covered under your health insurance plan’s prescription drug benefit rather than the plan’s medical benefit. This means there are usually out-of-pocket costs, which can add up over time.
Many hospitals have financial counselors who can discuss insurance and cost coverage with you.
You may qualify for programs that help with drug costs or offer low-cost or free prescriptions. A financial counselor or social worker at your hospital can help you learn about these programs.
Learn more about insurance plans and prescription drug assistance programs.
Learn more about other financial assistance programs.
Komen Financial Assistance Program |
Susan G. Komen® created the Komen Financial Assistance Program to help those struggling with the costs of breast cancer treatment by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals. To learn more about this program and other helpful resources, call the Komen Patient Care Center at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org. Se habla español. Learn about other financial assistance programs. |
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Susan G. Komen®‘s position on fairness in oral cancer drug coverage |
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Insurance coverage of oral cancer drugs Cancer medications given through an IV into a vein or by an injection (under the skin or into a muscle) are usually covered under a health insurance plan’s medical benefit. However, oral cancer drugs (cancer medications that are pills) are usually covered under a health insurance plan’s prescription drug benefit. As a result, people often find themselves facing high out-of-pocket costs when filling prescriptions for oral cancer drugs. Sometimes these costs can be thousands of dollars a month. The impact of high cost-sharing High prescription drug costs and the resulting out-of-pocket burden on patients are a barrier to health care. They can prevent people from getting the medications prescribed by their health care providers. No one should be forced to get less appropriate treatment because an insurer gives more coverage for IV and injectable drugs than for pills. Efforts to increase fairness in drug coverage Komen supports state and federal efforts to require insurers to provide the same or better coverage for oral cancer drugs as they do for IV and injectable cancer drugs. This would help make sure patients have access to affordable, appropriate treatment. Become a Komen Advocacy Insider Sign up to be a Komen Advocacy Insider and get informed when action is needed on oral drug coverage parity at the state or national level. |
Clinical trials
Research is ongoing to improve all areas of treatment for breast cancer.
New therapies are being studied in clinical trials. The results of these studies will determine whether these therapies become part of the standard of care. Clinical trials can also study other parts of care, such as ways to manage side effects.
After discussing the benefits and risks with your oncologist, we encourage you to consider joining a clinical trial if there’s one right for you.
Read our blog, Four Things to Know About Clinical Trials When You’re Diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
Susan G. Komen® Patient Care Center |
If you or a loved one needs information or resources about clinical trials, the Patient Care Center can help. Contact the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877-465-6636 or email clinicaltrialinfo@komen.org. Se habla español. |
BreastCancerTrials.org in collaboration with Komen offers a custom matching service to help find clinical trials that fit your needs.
Learn what Komen is doing to help people find and participate in breast cancer clinical trials, including trials supported by Komen.
Learn how Komen-funded research is improving treatment for breast cancer.
Learn more about clinical trials.
Susan G. Komen® Support Resources |
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*Please note, the information provided within Komen Perspectives articles is only current as of the date of posting. Therefore, some information may be out of date.
Updated 03/20/26
This content is regularly reviewed by an expert panel including researchers, practicing clinicians and patient advocates.
