Data shows that niraparib (Zejula) maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer is generally safe and manageable outside of clinical trials.
The study followed 218 patients for a median of 22.6 months and found that blood-related side effects were common but usually mild to moderate. These included low platelets (60.1%), anemia (58.7%), and low white blood cells (33.9%). Most patients recovered from these issues, and only a small percentage stopped treatment because of side effects.
Importantly, no cases of myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia were reported, and less than 1% of patients developed other secondary cancers. Doctors were able to manage side effects effectively by adjusting doses or temporarily pausing treatment, allowing most patients to continue therapy.
Overall, the findings support niraparib as a practical long-term maintenance option for ovarian cancer, with side effects that are usually manageable in routine clinical care.