An update on the safety of olaparib for treating ovarian cancer.

Introduction: PARP inhibitors have dramatically improved outcomes for ovarian cancer patients, transforming oncologists' armamentarium and fueling hope for more cures and longer survival.

Areas Covered: The recent PARP inhibitor randomized trials of FDA approved PARP inhibitors for ovarian cancer, olaparib, rucaparib and niraparib, and implications for clinical care are discussed with a focus on toxicity and risks. PARP adds NAD polymers to DNA-binding proteins, improving survival of cells after DNA damage, and acting as a scaffold for important DNA Damage Response (DDR) enzymes.