Claire Rowney, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now, said:
“It’s brilliant this targeted treatment has been made available on the NHS in Scotland. Crucially, it offers people living with incurable secondary breast cancer with an altered BRCA gene an additional drug option to help stop their cancer from progressing for longer, so they can continue doing the things that matter most to them.[1,2]
“The discovery of how to use PARP inhibitors, like olaparib, to treat cancers caused by changes in the BRCA gene is the culmination of over a decade of work at the Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research London.[3] And we’re delighted that olaparib is now available across the UK, for eligible secondary breast cancer patients to provide a valuable choice for both patients and clinicians.
“Anyone with questions about treatment options can speak to their clinical team. And our expert nurses are here on our free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 6000 for information and support.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Olaparib has been accepted for use by the SMC for treating patients with germline BRCA1/2-mutations, who have HER2 negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Evidence from clinical trials shows that people who receive olaparib have longer before their cancer gets worse, compared to people who have chemotherapy.
- Around 5-10% of people with breast cancer carry an inherited altered gene, of which the BRCA 1 and 2 genes are the most common.
- Breast Cancer Now-funded researchers contributed to the discovery of a targeted use for PARP inhibitors. The charity receives a share of royalties from the Institute of Cancer Research for sales of PARP inhibitor drugs being used in a targeted way to treat cancers with changes in BRCA genes, or other similar defects which mean that cancer cells are unable to properly repair their DNA. This includes royalties from sales of olaparib by AstraZeneca and Merck. Income raised through the royalties/payments for PARP inhibitor drugs is invested back into the charity, so that Breast Cancer Now can continue to fund world-class research and life-changing support for everyone affected by breast cancer.