Indications of Rucaparib/Rucaparib

Rucaparib/Rucaparib is a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor used to treat ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. The active substance rucaparib blocks its activity. This polymerase helps repair damaged DNA in cells (normal cells and cancer cells). When the PARP protein is blocked, damaged DNA in cancer cells cannot be repaired, and the cells die. Its indications include the following conditions:

1. Ovarian cancer: Rucaparib is indicated for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy; mainly for the treatment of adult patients with deleteriousBRCA mutation (germline and/or somatic)-associated epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have received two or more types of chemotherapy.

2. Prostate Cancer: Rucaparib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with deleterious BRCA mutation (germline and/or somatic)-associated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who have received androgen receptor-directed therapy and taxane-based chemotherapy.

Rucapparib is sometimes used in these cases only if a patient's cancer has a specific genetic marker (an abnormal "BRCA" gene), and doctors select patients for treatment based on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved companion diagnostic for rucapparib. Rucaparib may also be used for purposes not listed in this Medication Guide. This medicine is available by prescription only, and treatment should be initiated and supervised by a physician experienced in treating cancer.