Anyone else taking olaparib for triple negative BRCA2 metastatic cancer?

Finding others with the same specific diagnosis and treatment combination can feel isolating, especially when dealing with a newer application of a medication. Connecting with others who share similar experiences often provides valuable insights and support, so hopefully some community members will share their experiences with olaparib for triple negative BRCA2 metastatic breast cancer.

I have been taking it for over a year with no evidence of disease

Gosh, I’m glad to hear that. How are the side effects?

I was tired and nauseous for the first couple of months but taking zofran helped and continues to help today if needed. I did not have an appetite at the beginning so I did lose weight. I hope your journey is as positive as mine has been

You’re a ray of sunshine, Theresa. My appetite is fine—craving sugar mostly. I assume that’s the fatigue talking. And I sleep a lot. Sending loads of positive energy.

I am glad to be of help. Best of luck

I am triple negative with PALB2 mutation. I started on Olaparib in Aug 2025. The results have been really positive. It seems to be regressing my cancer, which is in my bones and liver. I did have side effects for the first few months of severe gastrointestinal challenges. That has all gone away and my main side effect now is fatigue. I hope you have a positive journey.

Thank you, Pat! That really gives me hope. I’ve only been on it for two weeks but my blood stats are already a little better and the pain is resolving. I’m afraid to get too pumped up (and too tired!) but hope is a wonderful thing. Sending lots of it to you.

Tnbc with stage 4 brain mets at the onset. I've been on Talzenna for 2 years with great results. Stable no recurrence until Dec 17th of 24. We found the Brain mets were back. I hev 3 small tumors in the occipatal area. We start reladiarion gamm knife Feb 18th. I'm still stable elsewhere and we both know that it is inevitable of recurrence with our diagnosis. Hopefully I will get some resolve with the gamma knife. 70% chance of cleaning out. Good luck with your journey.

Thanks, Debra. Gosh, that sounds scary but Dr Google says it’s non invasive and very effective. I hope it goes smoothly for you. I had a new doctor yesterday, a real downer. He just shrugged said I’m incurable. Yeah, I know that. But a little hope goes a long way. Your more positive input really helps.

Hi Eda, I’m IDC triple negative highly aggressive Ki score 95, BRCA 2 and following double mastectomies, initially clean nodes and margins but still spread to one node a year later. Than required a year of chemo as 7 months intravenous and 4 months Xeloda, another surgery to remove that necrotic node that tested positive nearly a year after initial surgery. I was ordered Oliparib or Lynparza, a PARP inhibitor and am taking it for nearly a year. To my understanding, this is for BRCA patients, to prevent the mutated gene from acting to re spread cancers. On this med and post chemo, I have been cancer free, having PET CT scans every 6 months and labs still every 2 weeks to monitor for side effects. Main issue has been neutropenia, anemia, gastric issues… but tolerable. I cannot receive immunotherapy because of 5 autoimmune problems.

Gosh. I guess I could consider myself lucky. I went through a single mastectomy, chemo and radiation 8 years ago and was NSD until last fall. On Lynparza almost a month and feeling pretty good. I’m not cancer free and the docs assure me I never will be because of the metastasis but hopefully it won’t progress too quickly. As you say, the side effects are tolerable. Mostly fatigue, and the silver lining is I sleep pretty well. I am truly sorry about your autoimmune issues. More luck for me that aside from MBC, I’m pretty healthy. I’m not sure whether that’s funny or not. Thanks for responding. Every bit of input helps.

Your very welcome Eda. My biggest concern with Lynparza has been the blood dyscrasia with low RBCs, blood counts, platelets and WBCs, but my Oncologist has watched weekly bloodwork and adjusted doses accordingly. He fears leukemia or myelodysplastic concerns in my case, and probably will take me off the medication after a full year. I’m honestly more afraid of being off all treatments. Post surgery, I was margin and node clean but still metastasized to one node after 10 months. A case study was done by my team. My Ki score was 95 or very aggressive for a breast cancer. Some providers feared a blood spread that is extremely rare. Prayers and best wishes.