Skip to main content

What type of cancer is Rubraca used to treat?

Medically reviewed by Judith Stewart, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 20, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Rubraca (rucaparib) is used for the treatment of certain types of ovarian cancer and prostate cancer.

Rubraca belongs to the class of drugs called poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors which are targeted therapies used in the treatment of certain types of cancer.

Ovarian Cancer

Rubraca is used for the treatment of ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer in patients who have a germline (inherited) and/or somatic (acquired) abnormal BRCA gene, and who have been treated with two or more types of chemotherapy.

Rubraca is also used for the maintenance treatment of ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer that has returned in patients who have received platinum-based chemotherapy.

Prostate Cancer

Rubraca is used for the treatment of metastatic (has spread to other parts of the body) castration-resistant prostate cancer (prostate cancer that no longer responds to medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone) in patients that have a germline and/or somatic abnormal BRCA gene who have been treated with androgen receptor-directed therapy and a taxane-based chemotherapy.

See Rubraca Prescribing Information

Read next

Prostate cancer cells, like bacteria, can evolve over time and become resistant to treatments, including the hormone therapy and androgen receptor inhibitor Xtandi (enzalutamide). The cancer cells work to reprogram their environment and develop strategies that enable them to transform and survive.

If treatment with Xtandi stops working then other treatments may be offered, such as:

  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Radiotherapy

Stopping treatment with Xtandi may also result in an antiandrogen withdrawal response (AAWR), which can cause the cancer to stop growing or shrink for the period of time. Continue reading

Xtandi is typically taken until prostate cancer starts to progress or spread (metastasize), or until the patient can no longer tolerate therapy because of the side effects or adverse events it causes.

In clinical trials, Xtandi was effective at delaying the time to disease progression in men with advanced prostate cancer. In men who had not received prior treatment with chemotherapy, Xtandi was also effective at delaying the need for treatment with a cytotoxic chemotherapy agent.

In the AFFIRM trial, treatment with Xtandi extended life by almost 5 months in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Continue reading

Zytiga is taken with prednisone to help manage side effects that might occur with this prostate cancer treatment. Zytiga blocks the production of cortisol from your adrenal glands. Prednisone helps to replace the lost cortisol that can cause side effects such as low blood potassium levels, fluid build up (edema), or high blood pressure. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups

Medical Disclaimer