Kamran Numan, Class of 2021
A relatively innovative drug in the pharmaceutical market arguably looks to fight prostate cancer in individuals with severe cases. Although not necessarily a new drug, Olaparib has been recently tested to treat male patients with severe cases of Prostate cancer, in continuation with a new wave of treatment methods otherwise known as “Precision Treatment.” Olaparib is not a new drug for individuals with cancer, given the fact that the aforementioned drug has been utilized by doctors and health care professionals in treating select cases of “breast and ovarian cancers” (1). What differs, however, is the manner in which the drug treats [temporarily in some cases] the ongoing Prostate cancer of the patient. In line, with precision treatment methods, Olaparib targets the very inner workings of the genes that contribute to the cancer.
For further context, it is essential to understand the exact manner in which certain bouts of Prostate cancer manifest in the first place. Within the study, the male patient population which the drug was tested on, had comparable mutations to the BRCA gene, effectively raising the risks of certain cancers to amplify. Furthermore, destruction of the BRCA genes which “repair damaged DNA,” incredibly enough increases the risks of other cancers such as ovarian and breast (1). Thus, in a study that tested the practical effects and of Olaparib, the population of male patients were selected, based on their prior experiences with Chemotherapy as well as the advanced progression of their prostate cancer. Of the population of male patients, “in men given olaparib, the disease progressed more slowly compared with those on standard treatment drugs that deprive cancer cells of the male hormone testosterone” (1). The discovery of this result has illustrated the sheer effectiveness of olaparib, a drug that was strictly limited to treating breast and ovarian cancer. In any case, the overall results of the drug in further treating Prostate Cancer in males has proven to be significant.
Given this, researchers have continued to further analyze the results of the various studies that have emerged from the discovery of Olaparib as an effective medication. According to the Institute of Cancer Research, “The most common DNA repair defects were mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes” (2). The BRCA gene is undoubtedly an immensely important factor in the treatment of various cancers, so it is obvious then why these drugs target these particular genes in the first place, as the cancer may amplify in the respective tumor that these genes are located on. What is more, according to the same study, the individuals who most benefited from this gene targeting therapy were in fact Prostate Cancer patients who had mutations in BRCA gene. Overall, the stark contrast in results of male patients with and without the Olaparib treatment plan are clearly visible. According to an additional study, tumor sizes shrunk in one third of patients who are on Olaparib, “compared with 2.3 percent of those on the standard therapy” (1).
In the grand scheme of things, the concept of precision treatment is one of the leading factors in the future innovation of medicines. In years past, treatment plans were often marketed under an overarching method that was meant to treat all patients under a specific category of illness. However, as the Olaparib example has taught the medical world, treating individuals with plans best catered in regards to their specific health history and respective diagnoses, has proven to be quite successful. It would be an understatement to say the least, that the utilization of Olaparib has created another possible manner to lengthen the survival period for patients with Prostate cancer, with some unproven reports of how a four month “delay in progression,” can [arguably] lead to increased “survival” (3). In any case, the utilization of Olaparib in fighting prostate cancer highlights a growing trend in specific patient targeted plans.
References
For further context, it is essential to understand the exact manner in which certain bouts of Prostate cancer manifest in the first place. Within the study, the male patient population which the drug was tested on, had comparable mutations to the BRCA gene, effectively raising the risks of certain cancers to amplify. Furthermore, destruction of the BRCA genes which “repair damaged DNA,” incredibly enough increases the risks of other cancers such as ovarian and breast (1). Thus, in a study that tested the practical effects and of Olaparib, the population of male patients were selected, based on their prior experiences with Chemotherapy as well as the advanced progression of their prostate cancer. Of the population of male patients, “in men given olaparib, the disease progressed more slowly compared with those on standard treatment drugs that deprive cancer cells of the male hormone testosterone” (1). The discovery of this result has illustrated the sheer effectiveness of olaparib, a drug that was strictly limited to treating breast and ovarian cancer. In any case, the overall results of the drug in further treating Prostate Cancer in males has proven to be significant.
Given this, researchers have continued to further analyze the results of the various studies that have emerged from the discovery of Olaparib as an effective medication. According to the Institute of Cancer Research, “The most common DNA repair defects were mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes” (2). The BRCA gene is undoubtedly an immensely important factor in the treatment of various cancers, so it is obvious then why these drugs target these particular genes in the first place, as the cancer may amplify in the respective tumor that these genes are located on. What is more, according to the same study, the individuals who most benefited from this gene targeting therapy were in fact Prostate Cancer patients who had mutations in BRCA gene. Overall, the stark contrast in results of male patients with and without the Olaparib treatment plan are clearly visible. According to an additional study, tumor sizes shrunk in one third of patients who are on Olaparib, “compared with 2.3 percent of those on the standard therapy” (1).
In the grand scheme of things, the concept of precision treatment is one of the leading factors in the future innovation of medicines. In years past, treatment plans were often marketed under an overarching method that was meant to treat all patients under a specific category of illness. However, as the Olaparib example has taught the medical world, treating individuals with plans best catered in regards to their specific health history and respective diagnoses, has proven to be quite successful. It would be an understatement to say the least, that the utilization of Olaparib has created another possible manner to lengthen the survival period for patients with Prostate cancer, with some unproven reports of how a four month “delay in progression,” can [arguably] lead to increased “survival” (3). In any case, the utilization of Olaparib in fighting prostate cancer highlights a growing trend in specific patient targeted plans.
References
- Bates, Sofie. “A Precision Drug for Prostate Cancer May Slow the Disease's Spread.” Science News, 15 Oct. 2019, www.sciencenews.org/article/prostate-cancer-drug-olaparib-slow-spread.
- ICR_London. “Olaparib Becomes First Gene-Targeted Medicine to Show Benefits in Prostate Cancer.” EurekAlert!, 2019, www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-12/iocr-obf112919.php.
- Maialisa. “Cancer Carcinoma Ribbon Free Photo.” Needpix.com, www.needpix.com/photo/654371/cancer-carcinoma-ribbon-syndrome-prevention-support-liver-prostate-childhood.
- “New Evidence for World's First Ever Precision Medicine for Prostate Cancer.” Prostate Cancer UK, 2019, prostatecanceruk.org/about-us/news-and-views/2019/9/olaparib-trial-shows-evidence-of-worlds-first-precision-medicine-for-prostate-cancer.
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