Dealing with anemia from PARP inhibitor

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MJ3820
MJ3820 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi all. I'm in a clinical trial for the PARP inhibitor Olaparib. The drug is working but causing persistent anemia. I've been put on darbepoetin but so far it is not boosting my hemoglobin. I'm worried about getting booted from this trial because of my low red blood cell count. Does anyone have any experience in dealing with PARPs and anemia? Thanks in advance.

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited April 2012

    I have no info for you but just wanted to say hi. I hope you are able to find an answer to your question.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2012
    MJ, there have been Research News reports on the main Breastcancer.org site about Olaparib, but I don't see anything specific about anemia. Is your medical team considering other options to help with your hemoglobin?
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  • BikerLee
    BikerLee Member Posts: 355
    edited April 2012

    Yes - I totally was anemic. I was on abt888 and taxol with carboplatin every third week. I'm also an athlete, and I think that helped a lot. My lowest hub was probably a bit below 8.... They were never worried about kicking me out the trial - I think I would have had a transfusion if the anemia symptoms had gotten much worse.



    My advice is that you keep moving, even if it is super slowly.... It helps. It really really helps.



    My head onc also said that I should be sure I was getting enough folate and b12. We also ran a ferritin test in order to be sure that my iron stores were adequate - they were.



    Hope that helps. The anemia is hard... I would get out of breath so easily.... But, I just kept moving, even though I had to take more breaks and go slower.



    Good luck.

    Lee

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