Pembrolizumab in combination with olaparib is in clinical development for patients with metastatic and castration-resistant prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a cancer of the prostate gland (a small organ in a man’s pelvis) and is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Prostate cancer can be localised, locally advanced or advanced (metastatic). The symptoms of prostate cancer may vary depending on the stage but can include pain, tiredness, and problems emptying the bladder and the bowels.
Pembrolizumab delivered via intravenous infusion is a type of immunotherapy. It stimulates the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells by targeting specific proteins that stimulate an immune response. Olaparib is administered orally in tablet form and can lead to cancer cell death by blocking DNA repair by an enzyme (protein) called PARP. If licensed, pembrolizumab in combination with olaparib will provide a therapy option for a heavily pre-treated patient population with limited remaining treatments available.