Rucaparib and Niraparib in Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Rucaparib and niraparib are two of the newest U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved PARP inhibitors, joining olaparib with indications in ovarian cancer. Both drugs have led to meaningful responses when used as monotherapy in previously treated ovarian cancers, with niraparib demonstrating activity in both BRCA-mutated and BRCA wild-type tumors. Both rucaparib and niraparib have remarkably increased progression-free survival as maintenance therapy for patients with relapsed, platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer who responded to their most recent platinum-based regimen. In this setting, these drugs appear to be similar in efficacy but have distinct pharmacokinetic and adverse effect profiles. This article will guide the advanced practitioner through the efficacy, safety, and pharmacologic profiles of rucaparib and niraparib, while benchmarking them against olaparib for the treatment of ovarian cancer.