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Hi all,

I was reading some information the other day about OV cancer maintenance drugs and came across an article that mentioned Rubraca (rucaparib) - a PARB inhibitor that has been approved as a third-line treatment of ovarian cancer. I learned that it's specifically approved in Canada for the treatment of high-grade epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer that has recurred or progressed after treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy. It is also approved as a maintenance treatment for patients with these cancers who have responded to platinum-based chemotherapy. 

I had not heard of this drug before so was curious if any of the Teal Sisters here had heard of it and/or have or are using it. My question is pure curiosity. I'm always interested in what treatment options are available regardless of the type of OV cancer.

#Treatmentandsideeffects

I was on rucaparib as part of the Athena clinical trial back in 2020.  Athena looked at rucaparib alone, nivolumab alone, or combo rucaparib and nivolumab  vs placebo as maintenance drugs.  Unfortunately, I was withdrawn from the study after a couple of months due to side effects.  My side effects included fatigue, nausea, rash, mouth sores and other things.  It was not clear whether they were due to rucaparib or nivolumab (when I was unblinded I found out I had received both).  I also had some later side effects that were clearly due to the nivolumab, so I have not included them here.  I understand that the rucaparib-alone arm was considered quite successful.  https://touchoncology.com/gynaecological-cancers/conference-hub/addition-of-nivolumab-to-rucaparib-did-not-improve-clinical-outcomes-in-newly-diagnosed-advanced-high-grade-ovarian-cancer/

Hi @jobo and thanks for sharing this information including the study link. Post your involvement in the study, were you a candidate for any other maintenance drugs? How have you been doing since this trial (looks like it's been 5 years since then). I hope you have continued to do well!

#Clinicaltrialsandresearch #Treatmentandsideeffects

Hi @Alwayslearning - no, at the time, I was not eligible for any maintenance drugs.  Now as to what's happened since, if I had seen this yesterday, I would have said everything's been clear ever since (5+ years).  But I received the results of a CT scan this morning, and it says there's a node that is "concerning for metastatic disease." Luckily, I have a follow-up appointment booked for tomorrow, so I'm trying not to worry until I know more.  

Hi @jobo 

Sorry to hear about the CT results. Were you experiencing any symptoms that led to the CT scan or was this part of a general 'check in'?

Hopefully your oncologist was able to provide some information/explanation and a pathway forward. Please keep us informed. Thinking of you.🤞