Mayo Clinic Study Finds Lung Cancer Drug May Boost Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Combining brigatinib with PARP inhibitors could help overcome early drug resistance in ovarian cancer.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A new study from Mayo Clinic researchers suggests that ovarian cancer cells quickly activate a survival response after PARP inhibitor treatment, and blocking this early response with the lung cancer drug brigatinib may make PARP inhibitors more effective. The researchers found that brigatinib shuts down two key signaling molecules, FAK and EPHA2, that aggressive ovarian cancer cells rely on to survive, weakening the cancer cells' ability to adapt and resist treatment.

Why it matters

Resistance to PARP inhibitors, a common ovarian cancer treatment, remains a major challenge. This research provides a potential strategy to improve outcomes by targeting the early survival response in ovarian cancer cells, which could delay or prevent drug resistance from developing.

The details

The study found that ovarian cancer cells rapidly activate a pro-survival program after exposure to PARP inhibitors, driven by the transcription factor FRA1. The researchers tested combining the lung cancer drug brigatinib, which inhibits multiple signaling pathways involved in cancer cell survival, with a PARP inhibitor. This combination was more effective than either treatment alone, and the effect was seen only in cancer cells, not normal cells.

  • The new study was published on February 13, 2026.

The players

Mayo Clinic

A nonprofit organization committed to clinical practice, education and research, providing expert, whole-person care to everyone who needs healing.

Arun Kanakkanthara, Ph.D.

An oncology investigator at Mayo Clinic and a senior author of the study.

John Weroha, M.D., Ph.D.

A medical oncologist at Mayo Clinic and a senior author of the study.

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What they’re saying

“This work shows that drug resistance does not always emerge slowly over time - cancer cells can activate survival programs very early after treatment begins. By targeting that early response, we may be able to improve how well existing therapies work and potentially delay or prevent resistance.”

— Arun Kanakkanthara, Ph.D., Oncology Investigator (Mirage News)

“From a clinical perspective, resistance remains one of the biggest challenges in treating ovarian cancer. By combining mechanistic insights from Dr. Kanakkanthara's laboratory with my clinical experience, this preclinical work supports the strategy of targeting resistance early, before it has a chance to take hold. This strategy could improve patient outcomes.”

— John Weroha, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Oncologist (Mirage News)

What’s next

The researchers plan to further investigate the potential of combining brigatinib with PARP inhibitors in clinical trials to evaluate its effectiveness in treating ovarian cancer patients.

The takeaway

This research provides a promising new approach to overcoming drug resistance in ovarian cancer by targeting the early survival response in cancer cells. If successful, this strategy could lead to improved outcomes for patients with this difficult-to-treat disease.