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Olaparib, a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers in patients with germline BRCA mutations [1]. However, the effectiveness of olaparib combination therapy varies among different tumor types.

In ovarian cancer, olaparib monotherapy has shown significant clinical benefits in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed serous ovarian cancer and a germline BRCA mutation [2]. Moreover, the combination of olaparib and bevacizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated improved progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer, regardless of BRCA mutation status [3].

In prostate cancer, the combination of olaparib and abiraterone acetate, an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor, has shown promising results in a phase II trial for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with DNA repair defects [4].

In breast cancer, olaparib has been approved for the treatment of patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer and a germline BRCA mutation who have been previously treated with chemotherapy [5]. However, the combination of olaparib and other therapies in breast cancer is still under investigation.

In summary, olaparib monotherapy and combination therapy have shown efficacy in ovarian, prostate, and breast cancers with specific genetic mutations or disease characteristics. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential of olaparib combination therapy in other tumor types.

Sources:
[1] US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves Lynparza for germline BRCA-mutated HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-lynparza-germline-brca-mutated-her2-negative-metastatic-breast-cancer>.
[2] National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Ovarian Cancer. Version 1.2022. <https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/ovarian.pdf>.
[3] Mirza, MR, et al. N Engl J Med 2019; 381:2416-2428. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1910961.
[4] Mateo, J, et al. Lancet Oncol 2019; 20:1132-1142. DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(19)30332-3.
[5] US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves Lynparza for breast cancer. <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-approves-lynparza-breast-cancer>.