Case report: olaparib use in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with BRCA2 pathogenic variant

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have been approved in malignancies associated with germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variants, such as breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer. In malignancies not associated with germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 pathogenic variants, the therapeutic relevance of PARP inhibitors is less clear. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is known to demonstrate somatic alterations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. The current report is on a gentleman with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with a somatic BRCA2 pathogenic variant, who was effectively treated with olaparib. Furthermore, we discuss the existing data for use of PARP inhibitors in NSCLC. This study highlights the utility of next-generation sequencing in identifying gene mutations and demonstrates how such information can be used to select targeted therapies in patients with actionable molecular alterations.