A PARP-inhibitor cancer medicine
Talazoparib
A targeted oral cancer medicine, a PARP inhibitor, used for certain cancers often linked to inherited gene changes such as BRCA.
What is Talazoparib?
Talazoparib is a specialist targeted cancer medicine known as a PARP inhibitor, used for certain cancers, particularly some breast and prostate cancers, often linked to inherited gene changes such as BRCA. It works by blocking a repair process that cancer cells rely on, so they cannot fix themselves and die. It is taken by mouth as capsules under the care of a cancer team. The main safety concern is its effect on the bone marrow, which can lower blood counts and cause anaemia, so regular blood tests are essential. Rarely it can lead to serious blood cancers, and it can harm an unborn baby.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Talazoparib — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Talazoparib is a targeted cancer medicine in a group called PARP inhibitors. It is used for certain cancers, particularly some breast and prostate cancers, that are often linked to inherited changes in genes such as BRCA, which affect how cells repair their DNA. Testing is usually done to see whether the cancer is likely to respond. Rather than acting on all dividing cells like older chemotherapy, it exploits a weakness in cancers that already struggle to repair themselves. It is taken by mouth as capsules under the supervision of a specialist cancer team.
How it works
Cells constantly repair small amounts of damage to their DNA. PARP is one of the proteins that does this repair. In cancers with a fault in another repair system (such as a BRCA change), the cells already rely heavily on PARP to survive. Talazoparib blocks PARP, so these cancer cells lose their backup repair, accumulate too much damage and die, while healthy cells, which still have their main repair system, cope better. This is why it works best in cancers with these repair faults. It is taken every day to keep PARP blocked over time.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist oral cancer medicine used in the UK for certain cancers, particularly some breast and prostate cancers linked to inherited gene changes.
Practical use
How to take Talazoparib
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take the capsules by mouth as prescribed, swallowed whole, at about the same time each day.
- Attend all blood tests, as these check your blood counts and guide whether the dose needs adjusting.
- Report signs of infection (such as fever), unusual bruising or bleeding, or marked tiredness or breathlessness.
- Use reliable contraception during treatment and for the time advised afterwards, as it can harm an unborn baby.
- Do not stop or change the dose yourself; discuss any side effects with your cancer team.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Talazoparib
Advantages
- A targeted treatment that exploits a repair weakness in cancers linked to gene changes such as BRCA.
- Taken by mouth as capsules rather than given by drip.
- More focused than general chemotherapy in suitable cancers.
Disadvantages
- Commonly lowers blood counts, causing anaemia and a need for regular blood tests.
- Can cause tiredness, nausea and hair thinning.
- Rarely linked to serious blood cancers over time, and can harm an unborn baby.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important safety point with talazoparib is its effect on the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. It commonly lowers blood counts, causing anaemia (a low red-cell count, leading to tiredness and breathlessness) and can also lower the cells that fight infection or help clotting, so regular blood tests are essential and the dose may be reduced or paused. Tiredness, nausea and hair thinning are common. A rare but serious risk is that, over time, it can lead to serious blood and bone-marrow cancers (such as MDS or AML), which is one reason blood counts are watched closely. Like other cancer medicines, it can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is important. Report any signs of infection, unusual bruising or bleeding, or marked tiredness to your team.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to talazoparib should not take it.
- It is not suitable in pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby.
- It is used with care in people with low blood counts or kidney problems, under specialist supervision.
Monitoring
- Regular blood counts to check for anaemia and other low counts, with the dose adjusted or paused if needed.
- Watching for signs of infection, bruising or bleeding.
- Reviewing how the cancer is responding and watching for rare blood-cancer changes over time.
Side effects
- Low blood counts, including anaemia, leading to tiredness and breathlessness.
- Nausea, reduced appetite or stomach upset.
- Hair thinning and headache.
- Rarely but seriously, serious blood and bone-marrow cancers (such as MDS or AML) over time.
Key interactions
- Some medicines can raise the levels of talazoparib in the body, so tell your team about everything you take.
- Medicines that also lower blood counts may add to its effects on the bone marrow.
- Always share new medicines and supplements with your cancer team.
Available as: Capsules taken by mouth.
Answers
Talazoparib: frequently asked questions
What is talazoparib used for?
It is used for certain cancers, particularly some breast and prostate cancers, often linked to inherited gene changes such as BRCA.
How does a PARP inhibitor work?
It blocks a DNA-repair protein called PARP, so cancer cells that already struggle to repair themselves accumulate too much damage and die.
Why do I need regular blood tests?
It can lower blood counts and cause anaemia, so blood tests let your team catch this early and adjust the dose if needed.
What serious risks should I know about?
Rarely, over time, it can lead to serious blood and bone-marrow cancers, which is one reason blood counts are watched closely.
Is contraception necessary?
Yes. It can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is important during treatment and for a time afterwards.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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