Olaparib for Breast Cancer: 10 Real Stories

Stephanie, who was diagnosed with Stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Breast Cancer

Stage II BRCA1 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Stephanie's Patient Story

Patient Info: Stephanie Hargis, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: ER-negative; PR-negative; HER2-negative; BRCA1 mutation

Stephanie had Stage II triple-negative breast cancer with BRCA1 mutation, then a local recurrence in April 2023 without distant spread; after surgery, chemotherapy, Keytruda, radiation, and Lynparza, she remained in ongoing post-recurrence treatment.

BreastCancer.org (ES)

OutcomeCare Ongoing

Breast Cancer

Stage II Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Lucy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Lucy, Female, Under 40 | Stage II

Biomarkers: Germline BRCA1 mutation; triple-negative breast cancer

Surgical pathology was all clear on June 17 after a strong chemotherapy response. Lucy described herself as cancer-free and continued oncology reviews every 3–4 months while planning delayed reconstruction.

The Patient Story

OutcomeCancer-Free / NED, Surveillance

Breast Cancer

Stage IV Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Janice's Patient Story

Patient Info: Janice, Female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ER-negative; PR-negative; HER2-negative

Metastatic Site: Other sites not specified

Living with incurable Stage IV triple-negative breast cancer while advocating for dose adjustments, symptom management, and balancing quality of life with survival.

The Patient Story

OutcomeLiving With Cancer

Breast Cancer

Stage 4 hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: remission with PARP inhibitor

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HR-positive breast cancer with HER2-low/negative recurrence, and pathogenic BRCA2 R2318* mutation.

Metastatic Site: pleura

As of January 2025, she had maintained complete response for 36 months after sequential FEC/docetaxel and olaparib for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative/HER2-low metastatic breast cancer with BRCA2 R2318* mutation.

PubMed Central

OutcomeCancer-Free / NED

A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage III Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer and ovarian cancer treated with chemotherapy and PARP inhibitor

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 40s | Stage III

Biomarkers: Germline pathogenic BRCA2 c.6468_6469del; breast tumor triple-negative

As of April 2024, 6-week follow-up after breast and nodal radiation was unremarkable, erythema had resolved, and no breast, chest wall, respiratory, or axillary abnormality was found; longer-term control was not reported.

PubMed Central

OutcomeCare Ongoing

A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Breast Cancer

BRCA2-Positive Breast Cancer in a Woman With Down Syndrome

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: ER-positive, PR-negative, HER2-negative, germline BRCA2 pathogenic variant

Metastatic Site: lungs, bones

The cancer later progressed with lung and bone metastases and extensive cancer spread through lymphatic vessels in both lungs. She died 59 months after breast surgery.

PubMed Central

OutcomeIn Memory

A patient, who was diagnosed with Stage IV Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

Breast Cancer

Treatment-Refractory Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treated With Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Germline BRCA1 pathogenic variant; later triple-negative phenotype

Metastatic Site: skin, lungs, bones

Tumor burden briefly decreased after tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, but she developed severe treatment complications followed by rapid cancer relapse and died about 1 month after the TIL/IL-2 treatment began.

PubMed Central

OutcomeIn Memory

Breast Cancer

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Lucy's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Lucy E., Female, Under 40

Biomarkers: BRCA1 mutation; triple-negative breast cancer

As of January 2023, Lucy had been told she was all-clear/cancer-free after chemotherapy, had undergone double mastectomy with staged reconstruction planning, and was continuing close oncology reviews every 3-4 months.