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Olaparib and Ascorbic Acid for the Treatment of Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer

Trial Status: closed to accrual

This phase II trial tests how well olaparib and ascorbic acid works in treating patients with prostate cancer that continues to grow despite blocking testosterone with surgery or medicine (castration resistant) and that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to other places in the body (metastatic). Olaparib, a type of poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP) inhibitor, blocks an enzyme involved in many cell functions, including the repair of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage. Blocking this enzyme may help keep tumor cells from repairing their damaged DNA, causing them to die. Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, is an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage caused by free radicals (highly reactive chemicals). Ascorbic acid is found in all fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, strawberries, cantaloupe, green peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, leafy greens, and potatoes. It is water-soluble (can dissolve in water) and has been shown to kill some tumor cells, such as prostate cancer cells, when studied in the laboratory. Giving olaparib and ascorbic acid may kill more tumor cells in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.