Cancer treatment for people with inherited mutations
People with an inherited mutation who have been diagnosed with cancer may have different treatment options than people without a mutation. To learn more about standard of care treatment options for specific types of cancer, visit our section on Cancer Treatment by Cancer Type.
If you have an inherited mutation, have been diagnosed with cancer and any of the situations below apply to you, you may wish to speak to your doctor about your medical options. You may also consider enrolling in a clinical trial studying which treatments work best for people with an inherited mutation.
Regardless of cancer type, people with a mutation may qualify for clinical trials looking for more effective treatments for cancer.
PARP inhibitors
PARP inhibitors are a type of that work by blocking a protein used to repair damaged . They were initially developed to treat cancers in people with an inherited or mutation. Since then, research and additional approvals have expanded use of PARP inhibitors to more situations. People with a mutation who have been diagnosed with cancer may want to ask their doctor about therapy.
PARP inhibitors for prostate cancer
The , Lynparza () has received FDA-approval to treat men with , castration-resistent cancer, who have a mutation in or another gene linked to a certain type of damage repair. Lynparza may be used to treat men whose cancer has progressed on (Xtandi) or (Zytiga).
PARP inhibitors for advanced ovarian, or primary peritoneal cancer
Several PARP inhibitors have been approved to treat ovarian cancers at different stages of the disease. In some situations, a tumor known as an test ("hemologous recombination deficiency") can help women with an inherited mutation and advanced ovarian cancer learn if they may benefit from a .
after treatment
- testing can help women with advanced ovarian cancer learn if they may benefit from the Lynparza in combination with bevacizumab as after platinum chemotherapy.
- is approved for in women with advanced ovarian, , or primary peritoneal cancer who had a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. for does not require an test.
after treatment of recurrent cancer
- , () and Lynparza are all approved for maintenance therapy in women with recurrent epithelial ovarian, , or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum based chemotherapy. In this setting, none of these drugs requires an test.
Get Support
FORCE offers many peer support programs for people with inherited mutations.
- Our Message Boards allow people to connect with others who share their situation. Once registered, you can post on the Diagnosed With Cancer board to connect with other people who have been diagnosed.
- Our Peer Navigation Program will match you with a volunteer who shares your mutation and situation.
- Our moderated, private Facebook group allows you to connect with other community members 24/7.
- Check out our virtual and in-person support meeting calendar.
- Join one of our Zoom community group meetings.
updated: 08/06/2022
Paying For Care
Paying for cancer treatment
The majority of public and private health insurance plans are required to cover cancer diagnosis and treatment; copays, coinsurance and deductibles often apply. Patient costs and coverage for specific doctors, facilities or treatments may vary based on your health plan. Visit our section on Insurance and Paying for Care: Treatment for more information, links to sample appeal letters and other resources.
If you need information about finding an insurance plan, watch our video: Choosing Wisely: How to Pick Insurance Plans.
Some pharmaceutical companies have assistance programs that help cover the cost for their medications:
- Astellas Patient Assistance Program
- AstraZeneca Access 360
- Bayer US Patient Assistance Foundation
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation
- Eisai Patient Assistance Program
- Genentech Access Solutions
- GSK for You
- Janssen Patient Access Program
- LIlly Cares
- Merck Helps
- Pfizer Oncology Together
- Novartis Patient Assistance
- Sanofi Patient Connection
- Seattle Genetics' SeaGen Secure
- Taiho's Patient Support Program
- Takeda's Help at Hand
- Trodelvy Access Services
Organizations that offer co-pay assistance:
- Cancercare
- Patient Advocate Foundation
- Colorectal Cancer Alliance offers financial support to people in treatment for colorectal cancer.
Other resources:
- The American Cancer Society provides information and resources on covering the cost of cancer care. Public assistance, such as Medicaid may be available if you are ineligible for other programs.
- Needy Meds: Assistance programs to help patients with cost of medications and other healthcare.
- Triage Cancer offers tools and resources to help individuals cope with the financial aspects of a cancer diagnosis.
updated: 02/10/2023
Open Clinical Trials
The following treatment studies may be of interest to people with a mutation in , or . Contact the study coordinator listed for each clinical trial for more information about eligibility.
Advanced
- NCT04497116: Study of the RP-3500 Alone or in Combination with or Gemcitabine in Advanced with Damage Repair Mutations (TRESR Study).This study is looking at how well a drug called called RP-3500 works either alone or when combined with other cancer treatments in people with different types of advanced cancers with a mutation in , , , , , or other genes. This study is open to people whose cancer stopped responding or progressed on PARP inhibitors.
- NCT02264678: Ascending Doses of Ceralasertib in Combination With Chemotherapy and/or Novel Anti Cancer Agents. This is a study of oral ceralasertib in combination with chemotherapy and/or other anti-cancer agents for people with advanced cancer. The study is enrolling people with inherited mutations in , , , , and people with tumors that are HRD-positive.
- NCT04644068: Study of AZD5305 as Monotherapy and in Combination With Anti-cancer Agents in Patients With Advanced Solid Malignancies (PETRA). This research is designed to learn if treatment with a new , AZD5305, alone, or in combination with anti-cancer agents is safe, tolerable, and has anti-cancer activity in patients with advanced . The study is open to people who have previously been treated with PARP inhibitors.
- NCT04267939: ATR Inhibitor Plus Study in Advanced and Ovarian Cancer. This study will look at how well how well people with advanced respond to treatment with the BAY1895344 in combination with the . This study is open to people with inherited mutations in , , and others. Contact the study coordinator for information about eligilibity for people with mutations in other genes.
- NCT04657068: Treatment with ATR Inhibitor for Advanced or Solid Tumors. This study will look at how well a new oral known as an ATR inhibitor works on advanced or with mutations in genes linked to damage repair. This study is open to people who have an inherited or acquired or mutation or people with tumors that are HRD-positive. This study is open to people whose cancer stopped responding or progressed on PARP inhibitors.
Ovarian cancer
- NCT03462342: Combination ATR inhibitor and in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer (CAPRI). This study will look at how well patients with recurrent ovarian cancer respond to treatment with a known as an ATR inhibitor when combined with a .
- NCT04586335: Study of CYH33 in Combination With an Oral in Patients With Advanced . The purpose of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of the CYH33 in combination with olaprib in patients with DDR gene mutations and/or PIK3CA mutations, in patients who have progressed on prior , and in patients with recurrent high grade serous ovarian, , or primary peritoneal cancer who are platinum resistant or refractory.
- NCT03579316: Adavosertib With or Without in Treating Patients With Recurrent Ovarian, Primary Peritoneal, or Cancer. This studies how well adavosertib with or without work in patients with ovarian cancer that has come back (recurrent).
A number of other clinical trials for people with ovarian cancer can be found here.
Advanced breast cancer
- NCT04039230: Study to Evaluate Sacituzumab Govitecan in Combination With in Patients With Breast Cancer. This studies the effect of Antibody-Drug Conjugate Sacituzumab Govitecan in Combination with the PARP Inhibitor in Patients with TNBC.
- NCT02401347: Beyond (TBB) Trial. The goal of the study is to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of (a type of treatment known as a ) in patients with advanced breast cancer with specific genetic mutations based on a blood, saliva, or tumor test. This study is open to people with inherited mutations , , , , , , , , , and other genes.
A number of other clinical trials for treating patients with breast cancer can be found here.
breast cancer
- NCT04915755: Using Blood Test to Screen for Cancer in People Who Completed Treatment for TNBC and/or an Inherited or Tumor Mutation; Followed by Study Comparing with for People with Cancer Detected in their Blood (ZEST). The ZEST study has two parts, a screening portion that will look for evidence of cancer cell in the bloodstream, and an intervention portion that is open to people who test positive for cancer cell in their bloodstream.
- NCT04481113: Abemaciclib and Before Surgery for the Treatment of Hormone Receptor Positive Negative Breast Cancer. This phase I trial tests the side effects and best dose of abemaciclib and in treating patients with breast cancer that is positive for or progesterone receptors (hormone receptor positive [HR+]) and negative.
A number of other clinical trials for treating patients with breast cancer can be found here.
updated: 04/08/2023