Abstract
Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) research has come a long way since the discovery of the enzyme 50 years ago. Since the development of first-generation PARP inhibitors (PARPi), numerous clinical trials have been performed to validate their safety and efficacy, bringing us to the stage at which a PARPi is now a valuable treatment option for patients with ovarian cancer. Nevertheless, the exact molecular mechanism of the PARPi anti-tumor effect is under debate and PARPi are not specific for a single enzyme. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of PARPi in preclinical experiments has not been explored much so far. Thus, further basic and preclinical research is needed to advance the use of PARPi in the treatment of tumors and potentially other inflammation-associated diseases.
Declaration of interest
Research in the MOH laboratory on PARPi is funded in whole or in part with funds from the Swiss National Science Foundation, Zürcher Krebsliga and the University of Zurich Research Priority Program (URPP) ‘Translational Cancer Research’. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.