olaparib + cetuximab

This combination therapy consists of olaparib (Lynparza) and cetuximab (Erbitux), which is being evaluated in conjunction with radiation therapy for the treatment of locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), particularly in patients with a heavy smoking history. Olaparib is a small molecule inhibitor of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzymes, which are essential for repairing single-strand DNA breaks; its inhibition leads to the accumulation of DNA damage and promotes synthetic lethality in repair-deficient cells. Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), inhibiting downstream signaling pathways that drive tumor cell proliferation and survival. By combining these two targeted agents with radiation, the regimen aims to synergistically enhance DNA damage and overcome radioresistance, which is often mediated by EGFR overexpression in HNSCC.

Brand names

LynparzaErbitux

Other names

olaparibcetuximab