PARP inhibitor
Also written as: PARP — poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor
A targeted therapy drug that blocks poly ADP-ribose polymerase enzymes, particularly effective in BRCA-mutated breast cancers.
Full Definition
Poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are a class of targeted therapeutic agents that block PARP enzymes involved in DNA repair mechanisms. These medications exploit the concept of synthetic lethality, where cancer cells with defective homologous recombination (such as BRCA1/2-mutated tumors) become dependent on PARP for survival. When PARP is inhibited in these genetically vulnerable cells, they cannot repair DNA damage effectively and undergo cell death. PARP inhibitors have shown significant efficacy in treating hereditary breast and ovarian cancers.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as PARPi in oncology literature.
In Context
- "The patient with germline BRCA2 mutation achieved excellent response to PARP inhibitor therapy." — Treatment response assessment
- "PARP inhibitor maintenance therapy significantly improved progression-free survival in this cohort." — Clinical trial report