Long-term safety in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer treated with niraparib versus placebo: Results from the phase III ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial

Gynecol Oncol. 2020 Nov;159(2):442-448. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2020.09.006. Epub 2020 Sep 25.

Abstract

Objective: Niraparib is a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor approved for use in heavily pretreated patients and as maintenance treatment in patients with newly-diagnosed or recurrent ovarian cancer following a response to platinum-based chemotherapy. We present long-term safety data for niraparib from the ENGOT-OV16/NOVA trial.

Methods: This multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled phase III trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of niraparib for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer. Patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive either once-daily niraparib 300 mg or placebo. Two independent cohorts were enrolled based on germline BRCA mutation status. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival, reported previously. Long-term safety data were from the most recent data cutoff (September 2017).

Results: Overall, 367 patients received niraparib 300 mg once daily. Dose reductions due to TEAEs were highest in month 1 (34%) and declined every month thereafter. Incidence of any-grade and grade ≥ 3 hematologic and symptomatic TEAEs was also highest in month 1 and subsequently declined. Incidence of grade ≥ 3 thrombocytopenia decreased from 28% (month 1) to 9% and 5% (months 2 and 3, respectively), with protocol-directed dose interruptions and/or reductions. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were reported in 2 and 6 niraparib-treated patients, respectively, and in 1 placebo patient each. Treatment discontinuations due to TEAEs were <5% in each month and time interval measured.

Conclusion: These data demonstrate the importance of appropriate dose reduction according to toxicity criteria and support the safe long-term use of niraparib for maintenance treatment in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01847274.

Keywords: Gynecologic oncology; Long-term safety; Niraparib; Ovarian cancer; Poly(ADP ribose) polymerase inhibitor.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / drug therapy*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indazoles / administration & dosage*
  • Indazoles / adverse effects
  • Maintenance Chemotherapy / methods
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Piperidines / administration & dosage*
  • Piperidines / adverse effects
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Progression-Free Survival

Substances

  • Indazoles
  • Piperidines
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors
  • niraparib

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01847274