An international team of scientists has announced a breakthrough in the treatment of breast cancer. According to the results of the large-scale OlympiA study, the drug olaparib demonstrated high effectiveness in fighting the disease at an early stage, significantly reducing the risk of its recurrence and the spread of metastases.
The study lasted two and a half years and included a group of patients who had already undergone chemotherapy. During this time, scientists found that 85.9% of women who took olaparib did not experience a return of their cancer. In comparison, among those who received a placebo, the figure was only 77.1%. This means a 42% reduction in the risk of recurrence.
Another important result was a reduction in the likelihood of the disease spreading to other organs. In the olaparib group, 87.5% of patients remained alive without metastases, compared with 80.4% of those receiving placebo. This represents a 43% reduction in the risk of distant metastasis.
Olaparib is an inhibitor of the enzyme PARB, which is involved in cancer cell repair. Previously, it was only used to treat late-stage cancer. However, new results show that the drug may be effective in the early stages as a targeted therapy for patients with inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
Professor Andrew Tutti, Chair of the OlympiA Research Committee, said: "Women with these genetic mutations often develop aggressive forms of breast cancer at a young age. Previously, there was no treatment specifically designed to reduce the risk of recurrence. "Olaparib is the first targeted drug to be shown to be effective in inherited mutations and early-stage breast cancer. This is a real breakthrough," he said.
The results of the study could change the approach to treatment for millions of women around the world, as the drug gives new hope for a long and healthy life after diagnosis.
