Long-term survival of a BRCA2 mutation carrier following second ovarian cancer relapse using PARPi therapy: A case report

BRCA1/2 mutation carriers have lifelong increased risks of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Due to the lack of efficient ovarian cancer screening, patients mainly present when the tumors are at an advanced stage, and the long-term survival is poor. The application of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi) has been used in personalized cancer treatment. Specific strategies to improve the outcome of patients are available and mainly include targeting of BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. The aim of the present study was to report the case of a 67-year old BRCA2 mutation carrier, who was enrolled in 2010 in one of the first PARPi studies (ICEBERG2). The patient exhibited second ovarian cancer (OC) relapse following a platinum-free interval of 5 months. The third-line treatment with olaparib monotherapy was initiated in January 2011, without prior surgery or chemotherapy, and achieved a persistent response. The patient demonstrated an unprecedented long-term survival of >9 years under PARPi monotherapy after the second relapse of OC. The data of the present case report support the use of PARPi as a well-tolerated and effective long-term treatment, even for patients with unfavourable prognostic characteristics, such as platinum resistance, without immediately preceding optimal cytoreduction. However, further studies are required to provide more insight into the selection of patients for favourable maintenance treatment.