Cristiana Sessa, MD, head of Phase I-II Unit and Pharmacology, vice head of Medical Oncology and Head of Clinical Research, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, discusses the management of 

 mutations in patients with ovarian cancer.

BRCA1/2 mutations are present in 20% of high-grade serous ovarian cancer, explains Sessa. Activity of PARP inhibitors is very high in patients with 

According to Sessa, the homologous recombination system is important and the dysfunction of this system is present in 50% of patients with ovarian cancer. That allowed the activity of PARP inhibitors and potential combinations to broaden.

Currently, 3 PARP inhibitors have been approved by the FDA for patients with ovarian cancer. Rucaparib, (Rubraca), olaparib (Lynparza), and niraparib (Zejula) have led to practice-changing, targeted treatment options for patients whose disease has progressed on chemotherapy. Combination trials are underway to achieve better results with these PARP inhibitors.

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Cristiana Sessa, MD, head of Phase I-II Unit and Pharmacology, vice head of Medical Oncology and Head of Clinical Research, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, discusses the management of BRCA1/2 mutations in patients with ovarian cancer.

Dr. Sessa on the Management of BRCA1/2 Mutations in Ovarian Cancer

Cristiana Sessa, MD, head of Phase I-II Unit and Pharmacology, vice head of Medical Oncology and Head of Clinical Research, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, discusses ataxia—telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) inhibitors in patients with ovarian cancer who have 

The role of ATR inhibitors is to protect the genomic integrity of cells by blocking the cell cycle and allowing them time to repair, says Sessa.

ATR inhibitors can be used in combination with other drugs such as PARP inhibitors. Also, they can be used in tumor types with a lack of p53 or tumors with ataxia—telangiectasia mutation (ATM)-deficient.

Cristiana Sessa, MD, head of Phase I-II Unit and Pharmacology, vice head of Medical Oncology and Head of Clinical Research, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, discusses ataxia–telangiectasia and Rad3 related (ATR) inhibitors in patients with ovarian cancer who have BRCA-mutated tumors.

Cristiana Sessa, MD

Articles

Dr. Sessa on the Management of BRCA1/2 Mutations in Ovarian Cancer

Dr. Sessa Discusses ATR Inhibitors in BRCA-Mutated Tumors