BRACA2 mutation taking PHARP inhibitors

after 5 years of chemo my doctors have said that i could not have any more, so they have put me on a phase 1 trial drug of which they are called PHARP inhibitors, i have been on these drugs for 8 months with fantastic results so far they have reduced the cancer spots from 3cm down to 8mm and some have gone altogether .
dose any body know how long these drugs will last?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

hi There
that is wonderful. The parp inhibitor is a new drug. I do not believe there is a body of statistics on the use of this drug in ovarian cancer yet. Thank you for sharing your experience. I have pasted an example of what is available so far
take care
http://www.nature.com/onc/journal/v23/n34/abs/1207721a.html
journal articles:
http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/research/may05.pdf



from :  http://www.kudospharma.co.uk/r_d/parp.php
PARP  
PARP-1 (Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1) detects single-strand, and to a lesser extent, double-strand breaks in DNA and is a key point in the initiation of DNA repair.

KU-59436 is an orally available, potent, and selective inhibitor of PARP (ADP-ribose) polymerase) 1 and 2. PARP detects single-strand, and to a lesser extent, double-strand breaks in DNA and is a key point in the initiation of DNA repair after treatment with camptothecin derivatives, alkylating agents and ionising radiation.

Xenograft data has shown tumour growth delay when each of temozolomide and irinotecan is given in combination with KU-59436 in human colon carcinoma lines.

Stand-alone potential

KuDOS has also identified exciting stand-alone activity of PARP inhibitors against certain common tumour genetic backgrounds lacking the well-recognised tumour suppressor genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2. PARP inhibition has the potential to help the specific subset of patients who have mutations in these genes. These mutations predispose patients to early-onset cancer and have been found in breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancers.

Commercial applications of PARP inhibitors

PARP inhibitors could be combined with, for example, irinotecan or temozolomide to improve the treatment of a number of cancers such as colorectal and gastric cancers, and melanoma and glioma, respectively. Combinations with irinotecan, for example, represent significant opportunities for PARP inhibitors. Irinotecan is predominantly used to treat advanced colorectal cancer. Approximately 146,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are expected in the US in 2004 and of these 60-70% are expected to be in advanced stages.

Selected References
de Murcia G. & Shall S. eds (2000) from DNA damage and stress signalling to cell death: poly ADP-ribosylation reactions. Oxford Univ. Press.