PARP inhibitor treatment of advanced breast cancer beyond the BRCA-mutated type: a meta-analysis.

Lay abstract The present meta-analysis was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of PARP inhibitors with or without chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone for advanced breast cancer. Six eligible randomized clinical trials involving 2080 patients were included. Regimens containing PARP inhibitors were significantly associated with higher objective response rate, longer progression-free survival and better overall survival, but a higher rate of grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia. Regimens containing PARP inhibitors are effective and safe for patients with advanced breast cancer who have a BRCA gene mutation. The efficacy appears to be only marginal in patients with BRCA status unselected.