Olaparib (trade name Lynparza), metformin and ovarian cancer

Posted by starko @starko, May 2, 2019

Does anyone have experience with Olaparib? I am about to embark on this therapy in a few weeks and am concerned about side effects. I am done with IV and IP chemo therapy and have had several surgeries.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 2, 2019

I'm tagging @pauldale4 on this discussion. I believe she is on olaparib (Lynparza) and might have experiences to share with you.

Starko, what potential side effects concern you the most?

Dale Haller | @pauldale4 | May 2, 2019

I was on Lynparza for 6 months with no side effects but my tumors metastasized so they took me off and I am currently on a clinical trial called TAPUR. Everyone reacts differently so what doesn’t work for one may work for another. Good luck.

starko | @starko | May 3, 2019

In reply to @pauldale4 "I was on Lynparza for 6 months with no side effects but my tumors metastasized so..." + (show)

I am so sorry to hear of your tumors metastasizing. I thought lynparza was meant to prevent that occurrence. Have you ( or your oncologist) considered metformin? NIH reports “metaformin treatment inhibits both angiogenesis and metastatic spread of ovarian cancer. “ You did not mention your particular type of cancer. I have ovarian stage IIIC.

Dale Haller | @pauldale4 | May 3, 2019

I’ve been taking metformin for years and asked my oncologist about it (thinking maybe I needed a stronger dose) and he said it hasn’t been proven to help with cancer. I also have 3C high grade serous. Lynparza is supposed to help keep it at bay but it didn’t work for me. Once it’s in your lymph nodes it seems to travel to different locations. Hopefully this new treatment is the one that works for me. Will pray Lynparza works for you!!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 9, 2019

@starko, Here is a 2018 review of the use of metformin in endometrial cancers.
– Metformin as a Therapeutic Target in Endometrial Cancers https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6121131/

Starko, what has been your experience with metformin to far?

starko | @starko | Jun 9, 2019

Thank you! I have been on Metformin for over a week. The 1st week, as expected, I had bouts of diarrhea but it has passed. No other side effects but I am hoping that the rumors that it is reverses the aging process are true! Can always dream….

starko | @starko | Jul 3, 2019

In reply to @colleenyoung "@starko, Here is a 2018 review of the use of metformin in endometrial cancers. - Metformin..." + (show)

Thank you for the article. I was hoping there was definitive evidence that metformin prevents cancer reoccurrence in patients who do not have diabetes. It looks as if it still needs proof. Although, it was most interesting even if I needed to dog ear my medical dictionary!