Niraparib (Zejula): Getting to Know about Life-Knowing Treatment for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

As the COVID-19 widens its fear, medical practitioners around the world are continuously working round the clock to find an effective solution for the deadly virus. Along with it, there are many other types of researchers and developments which are going in the medical field. One such field is cancer. Cancer is a type of dangerous illness that can happen to anyone at any point in life. Cancer cells are made up of trillion of normal cells. When normal cells grow old, they tend to die automatically. But when they do not die automatically, these new cells accumulate and start dividing. These cells are harmful growths.

On October 23, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for Niraparib (Zejula) for the patients having an advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. On April 29, 2020, the FDA also approved the drug for first-line maintenance of advanced ovarian cancer.

Today, we will be getting to know about the deadly disease that occurs in woman, i.e., advance ovarian cancer and the latest drug approved by FDA and what treatment holds for the patients.

A Brief about Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries. The female reproductive system, one on each side of the uterus. Their function is to produce eggs (ova), hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Generally, it goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen. Ovarian cancer at an advanced stage is difficult to treat. One of the main reasons that it goes unnoticed is that it starts showing few and non-specific symptoms at an advanced stage for common conditions. Some symptoms are:

• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Quickly feeling full when eating
• Weight loss
• Discomfort in the pelvis area

Though the cause of cancer is still known, there are three types of ovarian cancer:

• Epithelial Tumor: It begins in the thin layers of tissue that covers the outer part of ovaries. About 90 Per cent of ovarian cancers are epithelial.
• Stromal Tumor: It begins in the ovarian tissue that contains hormone-producing cells. Usually, Tumor is diagnosed at an earlier stage than other ovarian Tumor. About 7 per cent of ovarian Tumor are stromal.
• Germ Cell Tumor: It begins in the egg-producing cells. These rare ovarian cancers tend to occur in young women.

We will now be going to have a look over the medicinal treatments for treating advanced ovarian cancer which has received approvals from the US. FDA after the positive results from clinical trials.

Exploring out the Life-Saving Drug: Niraparib (Zejula, GlaxoSmithKline)

Niraparib is an oral, highly selective PARP1 and PARP2 inhibitor that has been approved by the US. FDA as maintenance therapy in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who have had a response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Niraparib has shown its effectiveness in both patients who have Tumor with BRCA mutations and in those without BRCA mutations.

Niraparib is used to treat four cancers which are ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer that has reoccurred after other treatments. It is a PARP (Poly) ADP-ribose) polymerase) inhibitor and a protein that helps healthy and non-healthy cells repair damaged DNA. Cancer cells rely on PARP proteins to keep their DNA healthy, which helps in growing and dividing them. It stops the PARP protein from working, which results in the death of cancer cells.

Taking the Treatment

At the beginning of the treatment, you will first receive chemotherapy, which will assist in getting rid as much of the cancer cells as possible. After the treatment, your daily dose of Niraparib is advised to you, as it helps in stopping the cancer cells again. According to the condition of your cancer growth, doctors will explain how long do you to take it.

Niraparib is an oral medicine which can be taken at home. It reduces the number of blood cells in the blood. You will have frequent blood tests during your treatment. Do follow the below instructions properly.

• Take your Niraparib capsules as advised by the doctor. Try to take it at the same time every day.
• Taking your capsules at bedtime may help control sickness. Swallow the capsules whole with water. Do not chew, dissolve, or open them.
• If you forget to take the capsules, do not take a double dose.
• Keep the Niraparib capsules in their original packaging, at room temperature, away from heat and direct sunlight.
• If you are feeling sick after taking the capsules, contact your doctor.

Handling out the Side Effects

Well, there are many side effects if you are taking the treatment. It is better if you keep some emergency medical help ready, otherwise, the situation can get out of control. Following are the side effects of Niraparib (Zejula):

• Risk of infection – Fever, Sore Throat, feeling shivery
• Nosebleeds, bleeding gums, skin rashes
• Anaemia, fatigue, neutropenia, constipation
• Musculoskeletal pain, leukopenia, headache, insomnia
• Dyspnoea, decreased appetite, dizziness, cough
• Hypertension, AST/ALT elevation, acute kidney injury.

For more information on the cancer-related problems, schedule an appointment for a consultation with the best doctor for the treatment. You can also reach out for the advisors at Indian Pharma Network as they will guide you through the treatment and will help you arrange the medicines for the treatments.

Status of Medical treatment in India

As the medical treatment has received recent approvals from the FDA, they are a life-saving gift for the patients having advanced ovarian cancer. With India becoming a hub for medical treatment, we have great opportunities for treating patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Through the contribution of best medical practitioners, India can provide patients to affordable ovarian cancer treatment.

Get in touch with the best pharmaceuticals consultants in the industry at Indian Pharma Network, New Delhi. The platform is a one-stop solution for all your medical needs.  Industry specialists at Indian Pharma Network, helps you in connecting you with the best doctors available at the national or international level. They also assist you with the medication that you need from any part of the globe.

Head on to: https://indianpharmanetwork.co.in/

Or

Call Mr Neeraj Nagpal on 9811747774

Reference Links:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20375941
• https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/niraparib
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553380/
• https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1910962#:~:text=Niraparib%2C%20an%20inhibitor%20of%20poly,or%20absence%20of%20BRCA%20mutations.
• https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/fda-approves-niraparib-first-line-maintenance-advanced-ovarian-cancer