Hereditary Cancer Genes and Risk > By Gene Mutation > CHEK2 > Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment for people with CHEK2 mutations
People with an inherited CHEK2 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 CHEK2 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 CHEK2 mutation.
- You are making breast cancer surgical decisions
- You have metastatic prostate cancer
- You have advanced ovarian cancer
Regardless of cancer type, people with a CHEK2 mutation may qualify for clinical trials looking for more effective treatments for cancer.
Surgical decisions for women diagnosed with breast cancer
Because of the increased risk for a second breast cancer diagnosis, women who are diagnosed with breast cancer who test positive for an inherited mutation in CHEK2 may choose bilateral mastectomy rather than lumpectomy and radiation. Mutation carriers who undergo mastectomy are less likely to develop a second breast cancer.
PARP inhibitors
PARP inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy that work by blocking a protein used to repair damaged DNA. They were initially developed to treat cancers in people with an inherited BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Since then, research and additional FDA approvals have expanded use of PARP inhibitors to more situations. People with an CHEK2 mutation who have been diagnosed with cancer may want to ask their doctor about PARP inhibitor therapy.
Metastatic prostate cancer
The PARP inhibitor, Lynparza (olaparib) has received FDA-approval to treat men with metastatic, castration-resistent prostate cancer, who have a mutation in CHEK2 or another gene linked to a certain type of DNA damage repair. Lynparza may be used to treat men whose prostate cancer has progressed on enzalutamide (Xtandi) or abiraterone (Zytiga).
If you are a person with a CHEK2 mutation, you can find peer support through the following resources:
- FORCE blog: Read stories submitted by people with CHEK2 mutations
- Video: FORCE members with a CHEK2 mutation
- FORCE's Peer Navigation Program will match you with a volunteer who shares your mutation and situation and provide you with a free resource guide.
- Register for the FORCE Message Boards to connect with others who share your situation. Once you register, you can post on the Share Your Mutation board to connect with other people who carry a CHEK2 mutation and the Diagnosed With Cancer board to connect with other people who have been diagnosed.
- Contact the FORCE impact leaders in your area to link to local support groups and other resources.
- Attend a virtual support meeting in your area.
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. If your insurance company denies your claim, your health care provider can help you write an appeal letter, or you can use one of our sample appeal letters. Visit our section on Insurance and Paying for Care: Treatment for more information.
The following cancer treatment studies are open to people with a CHEK2 mutation.
Breast cancer
- NCT02401347: Talazoparib Beyond BRCA (TBB) Trial. The goal of the study is to evaluate the anti-cancer activity of the PARP inhibitor, in patients with advanced breast cancer. This study is open to women with CHEK2 mutations.
Other cancers
- NCT03786796: Study of Olaparib in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients With DNA Repair Gene Mutations (ORCHID). This study will look at the effects of the PARP inhibitor olaparib in people with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who have had prior treatment with at least one immune checkpoint inhibitor or anti-VEGF therapy, and who have an inherited or acquired mutation in CHEK2 or other genes.
- NCT03012321: Abiraterone/Prednisone, Olaparib, or Abiraterone/Prednisone + Olaparib in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer With DNA Repair Defects. This is a biomarker-based treatment study in men with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The study is open to men with a CHEK2 or other inherited or acquired mutation.