Can MEK and/or dabrafenib be taken with radiation treatments?
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Can MEK and/or dabrafenib be taken with radiation treatments?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Can MEK and/or dabrafenib be taken with radiation treatments?

  • Post
    • June 24, 2013 at 12:33 am
    HelenK1
    Participant

    Both these drugs, Tafinlar (dabrafenib) and Mekinist (trametinib), are used in clinical trials, and each has received FDA approval to be used separately, and not in combination.  Would anyone know if either one or both can be used during whole brain radiation treatments?

    Is Yervoy the only drug that one can take for systemic treatment while undergoing radiation?

    Both these drugs, Tafinlar (dabrafenib) and Mekinist (trametinib), are used in clinical trials, and each has received FDA approval to be used separately, and not in combination.  Would anyone know if either one or both can be used during whole brain radiation treatments?

    Is Yervoy the only drug that one can take for systemic treatment while undergoing radiation?

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      • June 24, 2013 at 2:21 am
      DeniseK
      Participant

      Hi Helen,

      I don't think that it is FDA approved to combine them.  These drugs are so new that they don't really know the side effects.  I was on Z during WBR, my radiology oncologist didn't know I guess.  I got a pretty bad rash on my head, my melanoma specialist took me off Z and I used cortizone cream to help clear up the rash.  My recent SRS radiation the radiolgy oncologist wanted me to stop Z but I didn't, I haven't had any side effects from that.  

      Don't know if I helped answer your question but that was my experience.

      All my best,

      Denise

      • June 24, 2013 at 2:21 am
      DeniseK
      Participant

      Hi Helen,

      I don't think that it is FDA approved to combine them.  These drugs are so new that they don't really know the side effects.  I was on Z during WBR, my radiology oncologist didn't know I guess.  I got a pretty bad rash on my head, my melanoma specialist took me off Z and I used cortizone cream to help clear up the rash.  My recent SRS radiation the radiolgy oncologist wanted me to stop Z but I didn't, I haven't had any side effects from that.  

      Don't know if I helped answer your question but that was my experience.

      All my best,

      Denise

      • June 24, 2013 at 2:21 am
      DeniseK
      Participant

      Hi Helen,

      I don't think that it is FDA approved to combine them.  These drugs are so new that they don't really know the side effects.  I was on Z during WBR, my radiology oncologist didn't know I guess.  I got a pretty bad rash on my head, my melanoma specialist took me off Z and I used cortizone cream to help clear up the rash.  My recent SRS radiation the radiolgy oncologist wanted me to stop Z but I didn't, I haven't had any side effects from that.  

      Don't know if I helped answer your question but that was my experience.

      All my best,

      Denise

      • June 24, 2013 at 8:30 am
      Johnfdc7
      Participant

      Hi Helen

      I can only comment for SRS radiation not WBR. I have been on Dabrafenib (non-combo) for almost 8 months now. I had SRS for 2 brain mets during month 1. The radiation oncologist took me off Dabrafenib for 3 days before the procedure and for 5 days after – he said this was to minimise the risk of bleeds. All good since.

      • June 24, 2013 at 8:30 am
      Johnfdc7
      Participant

      Hi Helen

      I can only comment for SRS radiation not WBR. I have been on Dabrafenib (non-combo) for almost 8 months now. I had SRS for 2 brain mets during month 1. The radiation oncologist took me off Dabrafenib for 3 days before the procedure and for 5 days after – he said this was to minimise the risk of bleeds. All good since.

      • June 24, 2013 at 8:30 am
      Johnfdc7
      Participant

      Hi Helen

      I can only comment for SRS radiation not WBR. I have been on Dabrafenib (non-combo) for almost 8 months now. I had SRS for 2 brain mets during month 1. The radiation oncologist took me off Dabrafenib for 3 days before the procedure and for 5 days after – he said this was to minimise the risk of bleeds. All good since.

      • June 24, 2013 at 3:33 am
      fairlinda
      Participant

      denise,

      Billy got a terrible rash about 3-4 weeks into the Zelboraf which was started on 5/8 roughly a month after 5 consecutive days of WBR.  We toughed it out and it went away.  The dermatologist who we went to because of the little places we assumed to be squamous cell coming up.  The derma burned off about 10.  He gave us something for the rash.  Now Billy has shed a couple of layers of skin from head to toe except for right below his waist and his buttocks.  It is a mess with all the dead skin but we weren't advised by his derma or onc to discontinue Zel so we just powered through.   Did the SRS go well ad has it made a difference?

      Thanks..Linda 

      • June 24, 2013 at 3:33 am
      fairlinda
      Participant

      denise,

      Billy got a terrible rash about 3-4 weeks into the Zelboraf which was started on 5/8 roughly a month after 5 consecutive days of WBR.  We toughed it out and it went away.  The dermatologist who we went to because of the little places we assumed to be squamous cell coming up.  The derma burned off about 10.  He gave us something for the rash.  Now Billy has shed a couple of layers of skin from head to toe except for right below his waist and his buttocks.  It is a mess with all the dead skin but we weren't advised by his derma or onc to discontinue Zel so we just powered through.   Did the SRS go well ad has it made a difference?

      Thanks..Linda 

      • June 24, 2013 at 3:33 am
      fairlinda
      Participant

      denise,

      Billy got a terrible rash about 3-4 weeks into the Zelboraf which was started on 5/8 roughly a month after 5 consecutive days of WBR.  We toughed it out and it went away.  The dermatologist who we went to because of the little places we assumed to be squamous cell coming up.  The derma burned off about 10.  He gave us something for the rash.  Now Billy has shed a couple of layers of skin from head to toe except for right below his waist and his buttocks.  It is a mess with all the dead skin but we weren't advised by his derma or onc to discontinue Zel so we just powered through.   Did the SRS go well ad has it made a difference?

      Thanks..Linda 

      • June 24, 2013 at 6:44 pm
      DeniseK
      Participant

      Hi Linda,

      The SRS went well, I just had it last week, Tuesday was my last day.  I haven't had any side effects from that, maybe a little fatigue but nothing a nap won't help.  From the WBR I broke out in bumps/rash just on my head

      • June 24, 2013 at 6:44 pm
      DeniseK
      Participant

      Hi Linda,

      The SRS went well, I just had it last week, Tuesday was my last day.  I haven't had any side effects from that, maybe a little fatigue but nothing a nap won't help.  From the WBR I broke out in bumps/rash just on my head

      • June 24, 2013 at 6:44 pm
      DeniseK
      Participant

      Hi Linda,

      The SRS went well, I just had it last week, Tuesday was my last day.  I haven't had any side effects from that, maybe a little fatigue but nothing a nap won't help.  From the WBR I broke out in bumps/rash just on my head

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.