Experiences with

Dabrafenib

In the phase II study of over 200 patients, median progression-free survival (PFS) for those receiving intermittent dosing of dabrafenib (Tafinlar) and trametinib (Mekinist) was 5.5 months, as compared to 9.0 months for patients receiving continuous treatment (HR 1.36, 80% CI 1.10-1.66, P=0.063), reported

Three BRAF inhibitors -- dabrafenib, vemurafenib, and encorafenib -- are now approved by the FDA and the European Medicines Agency, as are three MEK inhibitors -- trametinib, cobimetinib, and binimetinib.

Combined BRAF/MEK inhibition is an option that is recommended for BRAF-mutant patients, in light of the COMBI-AD study which showed higher relapse-free survival at 4 years with dabrafenib and trametinib compared with treatment with placebo.

Health Canada has just approved the use of a combination therapy of Tafinlar® (dabrafenib) plus Mekinist® (trametinib) to prevent recurrence of melanoma following surgery in patients with a stage II or stage III diagnosis, also referred to as ‘adjuvant’ treatment.