Treatment
Targeted cancer drugs can help some people with metastatic prostate cancer. Metastatic prostate cancer is a cancer that has spread from the prostate to other parts of the body. You might have a targeted cancer drug called olaparib if has stopped working as well as it was before.
Olaparib is a type of PARP inhibitor.
PARP is a protein found in our cells. It stands for poly-ADP ribose polymerase. It helps damaged cells to repair themselves.
PARP inhibitors stop the PARP from doing its repair work in cancer cells and the cell dies.
You might have olaparib for metastatic prostate cancer if hormone therapy is no longer working. There are 2 different ways you might have it:
You might have olaparib with a hormone therapy called abiraterone and a such as prednisolone. This might be an option if you: • can’t have or don’t want to have • haven’t had newer hormone treatments such as abiraterone or enzalumatide
You might have olaparib on its own. This might be an option if you: • have a or gene change • have already tried other hormone treatments like abiraterone or enzalutamide
Read about these drugs and their side effects on our A-Z cancer drug list
Your doctor might test your cancer cells for . The tests your cancer cells for a change in the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes. To test your cancer cells, your specialist uses a sample of your cancer. This might be from a when you were first diagnosed. Or they might be able to test some tissue from an operation you have already had. Or you might have a blood test. The results of the tests can show whether olaparib is suitable for you. This depends on your situation. You must have these gene changes to have it on its own. You don’t need to have changes in these genes to have olaparib with abiraterone and prednisolone.
Olaparib are tablets.
You should take the right dose, not more or less.
Talk to your healthcare team before you stop taking a cancer drug, or if you have missed a dose.
Everyone is different and the side effects vary from person to person. The side effects you have depend on:
which drug you have
whether you have it alone or with other drugs
the amount of drug you have (the dose)
your general health
A side effect may get better or worse during your course of treatment. Or more side effects may develop as the treatment goes on. For more information about the side effects of olaparib, go to the individual drug page.
Researchers are looking at other targeted and for prostate cancer.
Last reviewed: 29 Jan 2026
Next review due: 29 Jan 2029
Treatment for metastatic prostate cancer can help to reduce symptoms, make you feel better and help you to live longer. Treatment includes hormone therapy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Metastatic prostate cancer has spread to other parts of your body. Treatment options include chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
You might have hormone therapy for prostate cancer that has spread to another part of your body. You can have it as an injection or tablets.
Get practical and emotional support to help you cope with a diagnosis of prostate cancer, and life during and after treatment.
Coping with prostate cancer can be difficult. There are things you can do and people who can help you to cope with a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is found at the base of the bladder and is about the size of a walnut.
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