Meaning of AZD2281:
A drug used as maintenance therapy to treat adults with pancreatic cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and has certain mutations (changes) in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. It is used in patients whose cancer has not gotten worse after treatment with at least 16 weeks of first-line platinum chemotherapy.
AZD2281 is also used to treat adults with advanced ovarian cancer that has certain mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and has already been treated with at least three other types of chemotherapy. It is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.
AZD2281 is also used to treat adults with HER2-negative breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, has certain mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, and has already been treated with other types of chemotherapy. It is also used as maintenance therapy to treat adults with ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer that has gotten better after treatment with platinum chemotherapy. It is used in patients with advanced disease that has certain mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and in patients with recurrent disease.
AZD2281 blocks an enzyme involved in many cell functions, including the repair of DNA damage. Blocking this enzyme may help keep cancer cells from repairing their damaged DNA, causing them to die. AZD2281 is a type of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor. Also called Lynparza, olaparib, and PARP inhibitor AZD2281.