PARP Inhibitor Biomarkers: The Key to Precision Cancer Treatment
PARP Inhibitor Biomarkers PARP inhibitors have emerged as an important class of targeted therapies for cancers with DNA repair deficiencies, most notably BRCA-mutated breast and ovarian cancers. However, biomarkers that can predict response to PARP inhibitors are still being refined to maximize their benefits. Here we explore some of the most promising PARP inhibitor biomarkers and how they may drive more personalized cancer treatment in the future. Homologous Recombination Deficiency Scores One of the main mechanisms of action of PARP inhibitors is exploiting cancers that have defects in homologous recombination (HR), the high-fidelity DNA repair pathway. Tumors with HR deficiencies are unable to properly repair DNA double-strand breaks and are selectively killed by PARP inhibition. Several assays have been developed to measure a tumor’s degree of HR deficiency, known as homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) scores. One such assay is the myChoice HRD test from Myriad Gene...