PARP Inhibitors for Ovarian Cancer – You Should Understand The Financial Aspects & The Benefits
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/ Updated February 15th, 2022

PARP Inhibitors for Ovarian Cancer – You Should Understand The Financial Aspects & The Benefits

Medically Reviewed: Dr. Monica Vetter Written by: Dr. Stephanie Wethington
Johns Hopkins Medicine
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Facts About PARP Inhibitors

  • A class of drug known as PARP inhibitors are now available to more women at more stages of their ovarian cancer treatment.
  • PARP Inhibitors — which come in pill and capsule form — are part of an overall plan for surgery, chemotherapy, and other measures and can slow down the growth of tumors, but they are most beneficial for ovarian cancer patients who carry BRCA mutations.
  • Insurance policies can restrict how, and even if, these new drugs can be covered, and co-pays may be very high, but you may qualify for coverage through other factors.
Many doctors agree that we are living in an incredibly exciting time for ovarian cancer therapeutics, with expanded FDA approval for a targeted class of drugs known as PARP inhibitors now in use for more types of ovarian cancer patients at more stages of treatment than ever before.

In fact, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines recommend PARP inhibitors be offered to women, with or without genetic mutations, who are newly diagnosed with stage III or IV ovarian cancer and have improved with chemotherapy.

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A targeted therapy taken as a pill, PARPs can be a particularly advantageous weapon during the COVID epidemic, because they can be taken at home and tracked through telemedicine, sparing the patient unnecessary exposure at a vulnerable time.

They work by attacking cancer at the cellular level, and are used in combination with a patient’s individual plan for surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and immunology.   Your doctor may try different dosages and different types to find the most effective one for you.  Each comes with its own set of side effects, which include the risk of impaired liver and kidney function, so a patient’s overall medical profile informs the decision about using them.  A woman with a history of drinking or compromised kidney function, for example, may be a less optimal candidate.

The catch?  The drugs can be costly and insurance co-pays for their use can vary hugely.  Some insurance plans limit the circumstances in which the drugs may be used. And some don't cover them at all. Weighing the risks and benefits of PARP inhibitors is a balancing act that must be meticulously determined by doctors and patients together.

Who Should Use PARP Inhibitors?

“PARP inhibitors at the systems level are very expensive, yes, and that is often one of the greatest criticisms of them.  Yes, they might work, but at what cost and, for patients, are they practical options?” says Dr. Stephanie Wethington, gynecologic oncologist at Johns Hopkins University.

PARP inhibitors have been proven most effective at treating ovarian cancer in patients who carry a BRCA gene mutation, but the drugs’ use is no longer confined to that narrow range of candidates.  “The benefit of PARP inhibitors for ovarian cancer patients varies based on whether or not they have these mutations,” says Dr. Wethington, who adds that the side effects of these drugs, while severe, are relatively mild when compared to other kinds of chemotherapy.

Cost versus Benefit

“For some patients their insurance might cover it with a small co-pay.  For other patients their insurance might cover it but with a very large co-pay,” says Dr. Wethington. “And for some insurance companies, they'll only cover it in certain settings.  And so the cost will depend on the setting.” There may be other options for patients to receive assistance with payment as well, and your gynecologic oncologist’s office may be able to direct you to these options.

The bottom line, when it comes to adding a PARP inhibitor to your medical plan, is to talk to your doctor about whether the treatment stands a good chance of being effective for you. . . and worth the side effects and potential risks. Then, you and your doctor can determine together how to cover the costs.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

Dr. Stephanie Wethington, M.Sc., is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist with Johns Hopkins Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Read More

SN Local - Explore Ovarian Cancer expertise and community near you:

PARP Inhibitors for Ovarian Cancer

PARP inhibitors are a relatively new class of drugs that have changed the game when it comes to treating ovarian cancer. Here, gynecologic oncologists from the Baltimore area explain how the drugs work, who is eligible to receive them and the risks vs. benefits.

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