Deborah J.L. Wong, MD, PhD

DISCUSSANT FOR THIS abstract, Deborah J.L. Wong, MD, PhD, of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, highlighted the preclinical rationale, as well as in vitro and in vivo data, supporting the potential benefit of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in combination with immunotherapy.

“This study offers an interesting signal of activity, particularly in patients with BRCA mutations,” said Dr. Wong. “It’s interesting to note that among the patients with BRCA mutations, all of them experienced at least stable disease as their best response.”

Careful understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity will be key as the trial progresses, Dr. Wong concluded. ■

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Wong has served as a consultant or advisor to Bristol-Myers Squibb and has received research funding from ARMO BioSciences, AstraZeneca/MedImmune, BioMed Valley Discoveries, Kura, Merck Serono, and Merck Sharp & Dohme.