Targeted Medicines for Melanoma Are Effective in T...
Melanoma
Targeted Medicines for Melanoma Are Effective in Targeting a Specific Mutation
“Targeted therapies are medicines that are not for everyone with melanoma,” says Dr. Anna Pavlick, Professor of Medicine and Dermatology at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center. 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, will block the mutation and shut off the mutation’s ability to spread. However, some patients need additional help to control the spread long term and in these cases, doctors utilize another inhibitor in addition to the BRAF inhibitor, called a MEK inhibitor. The use of these two types of medications is more effective in controlling the disease long-term.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
“Targeted therapies are medicines that are not for everyone with melanoma,” says Dr. Anna Pavlick, Professor of Medicine and Dermatology at NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center. 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, will block the mutation and shut off the mutation’s ability to spread. However, some patients need additional help to control the spread long term and in these cases, doctors utilize another inhibitor in addition to the BRAF inhibitor, called a MEK inhibitor. The use of these two types of medications is more effective in controlling the disease long-term.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Immunotherapy for melanoma does often work well–but the side effects do need to be considered.
Later Stage Treatment: Immunotherapy for Melanoma
Immunotherapy for melanoma does often work well–but the side effects do need to be considered.