“Targeted therapies are medicines that are not for everyone with melanoma,” says Dr. Anna Pavlick, a medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine. The medicines specifically target patients with certain genetic abnormalities, like the BRAF mutation.
According to Dr. Pavlick, it’s estimated that 50 percent of melanoma patients with metastatic disease will develop the BRAF mutation, which drives the melanoma to keep spreading.
The BRAF inhibitor, which is a pill, blocks and shuts off the mutation’s ability to spread. However, some patients need additional help to control the spread long term. In this case, MEK inhibitors are also used. Using these medications in combination can be more effective in controlling the disease over time.
FDA-approved targeted therapies for melanoma with BRAF mutation include:
- Dabrafenib (Tafinlar
- Trametinib (Mekinist)
- Vemurafenib (Zelboraf)
- Encorafenib (Braftovi) plus Binimetinib (Mektovi)
- Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) plus trametinib (Mekinist)
- Vemurafenib (Zelboraf) plus cobimetinib (Cotellic)—combined with the immunotherapy drug (atezolizumab)Tecentriq
Other combinations of BRAF inhibitors, MEK inhibitors, and immunotherapy drugs are possible—but side effects may increase as the number of medications used increases.
The most common side effects of targeted therapies include:
- Rash
- Joint pain
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Fever
- Extreme sensitivity to light (photosensitivity)
Targeted therapies have changed the landscape of how we treat melanoma and offer many people with the BRAF mutation the chance for long-term remission. Talk to your oncologist to see if targeted therapy is right for you.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
“Targeted therapies are medicines that are not for everyone with melanoma,” says Dr. Anna Pavlick, a medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine. The medicines specifically target patients with certain genetic abnormalities, like the BRAF mutation.
According to Dr. Pavlick, it’s estimated that 50 percent of melanoma patients with metastatic disease will develop the BRAF mutation, which drives the melanoma to keep spreading.
Read More The BRAF inhibitor, which is a pill, blocks and shuts off the mutation’s ability to spread. However, some patients need additional help to control the spread long term. In this case, MEK inhibitors are also used. Using these medications in combination can be more effective in controlling the disease over time.
FDA-approved targeted therapies for melanoma with BRAF mutation include:
- Dabrafenib (Tafinlar
- Trametinib (Mekinist)
- Vemurafenib (Zelboraf)
- Encorafenib (Braftovi) plus Binimetinib (Mektovi)
- Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) plus trametinib (Mekinist)
- Vemurafenib (Zelboraf) plus cobimetinib (Cotellic)—combined with the immunotherapy drug (atezolizumab)Tecentriq
Other combinations of BRAF inhibitors, MEK inhibitors, and immunotherapy drugs are possible—but side effects may increase as the number of medications used increases.
The most common side effects of targeted therapies include:
- Rash
- Joint pain
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Fever
- Extreme sensitivity to light (photosensitivity)
Targeted therapies have changed the landscape of how we treat melanoma and offer many people with the BRAF mutation the chance for long-term remission. Talk to your oncologist to see if targeted therapy is right for you.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
