Article : Vemurafenib for Previously Treated Melanomas

Vemurafenib induced clinical response in more than half of patients with previously treated BRAF V600E–mutant metastatic melanoma.

Vemurafenib significantly improved survival at 6 months in patients with metastatic melanoma in the BRIM-3 trial, but its effectiveness in patients previously treated with other drugs and its longer-term efficacy were undetermined. Investigators conducted this updated, phase 2 trial of vemurafenib in 132 patients with BRAF V600–mutant metastatic melanoma who had received other prior treatment.


In the median follow-up period of 12.9 months, the overall response rate was 53% (6% had a complete response). Median response duration was 6.7 months, and median progression-free survival was 6.8 months. Median overall survival was 15.9 months (95% CI, 11.6 to 18.3 mos.). Primary progression occurred in 14% of patients. Although the V600E mutation is the most common oncogenic lesion in BRAF, 10 patients had BRAF V600K mutations. Adverse events included arthralgia, rash, photosensitivity, fatigue, and alopecia. Cutaneous squamous-cell carcinomas and keratoacanthoma occurred in 34 patients (26%).


Citation(s):

Sosman JA et al. Survival in BRAF V600–mutant advanced melanoma treated with vemurafenib. N Engl J Med 2012 Feb 23; 366:707.

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