Dabrafenib and Trametinib combo Trial

Dabrafenib and vemurafenib both target the same BRAF mutation in melanoma cells. They are chemically very similar but not identical, so their activity and side effects may be a little different. Vemurafenib is already FDA approved and commercially available as Zelboraf. Dabrafenib is a little farther back in the development pipeline, but it shows promise of being as good as or better than Zelboraf. The main problem with vemurafenib is that melanoma cells tend to become resistant to it after 8 months or so. Trametinib was developed to attack a different protein in melamona cells (MEK instead of BRAF). The hope is that this 1-2 punch against both BRAF and MEK at the same time will kill the melanoma DEAD and prevent resistant cells from taking over. If I had melanoma, I would be delighted to get into the combo trial.

Dabrafenib and vemurafenib both target the same BRAF mutation in melanoma cells. They are chemically very similar but not identical, so their activity and side effects may be a little different. Vemurafenib is already FDA approved and commercially available as Zelboraf. Dabrafenib is a little farther back in the development pipeline, but it shows promise of being as good as or better than Zelboraf. The main problem with vemurafenib is that melanoma cells tend to become resistant to it after 8 months or so. Trametinib was developed to attack a different protein in melamona cells (MEK instead of BRAF). The hope is that this 1-2 punch against both BRAF and MEK at the same time will kill the melanoma DEAD and prevent resistant cells from taking over. If I had melanoma, I would be delighted to get into the combo trial.

Dabrafenib and vemurafenib both target the same BRAF mutation in melanoma cells. They are chemically very similar but not identical, so their activity and side effects may be a little different. Vemurafenib is already FDA approved and commercially available as Zelboraf. Dabrafenib is a little farther back in the development pipeline, but it shows promise of being as good as or better than Zelboraf. The main problem with vemurafenib is that melanoma cells tend to become resistant to it after 8 months or so. Trametinib was developed to attack a different protein in melamona cells (MEK instead of BRAF). The hope is that this 1-2 punch against both BRAF and MEK at the same time will kill the melanoma DEAD and prevent resistant cells from taking over. If I had melanoma, I would be delighted to get into the combo trial.

I've been on this trial since May of last year – going on 16 months now.  See my profile – everything is still good with me.  I heartily recommend it, and hope your SIL can get on this combo.  From what I hear at the clinic, the results so far are very promising.  Also, the side effects are much less than those encountered with vemurafenib as a single agent.  I've only had isolated episodes of high fever, accompanied with chills, shakes and sweats (I actually like these episodes, as they elicit lots of sympathy from family).

Best wishes,

Harry

I've been on this trial since May of last year – going on 16 months now.  See my profile – everything is still good with me.  I heartily recommend it, and hope your SIL can get on this combo.  From what I hear at the clinic, the results so far are very promising.  Also, the side effects are much less than those encountered with vemurafenib as a single agent.  I've only had isolated episodes of high fever, accompanied with chills, shakes and sweats (I actually like these episodes, as they elicit lots of sympathy from family).

Best wishes,

Harry

I've been on this trial since May of last year – going on 16 months now.  See my profile – everything is still good with me.  I heartily recommend it, and hope your SIL can get on this combo.  From what I hear at the clinic, the results so far are very promising.  Also, the side effects are much less than those encountered with vemurafenib as a single agent.  I've only had isolated episodes of high fever, accompanied with chills, shakes and sweats (I actually like these episodes, as they elicit lots of sympathy from family).

Best wishes,

Harry

http://chicago2012.asco.org/ASCODailyNews/LBA8500.aspx   Dabrafenib Extends Progression-Free Survival in Metastatic Melanoma, Has High Clinical Activity in Brain Metastases

http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/Meetings/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=114&abstractID=97727                                                                                                     

BREAK-MB: A phase II study assessing overall intracranial response rate (OIRR) to dabrafenib (GSK2118436) in patients (pts) with BRAF V600E/k mutation-positive melanoma with brain metastases (mets).

Updated safety and efficacy results from a phase I/II study of the oral BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib (GSK2118436) combined with the oral MEK 1/2 inhibitor trametinib (GSK1120212) in patients with BRAFi-naive metastatic melanoma.

Hope these help!!~ Lynn

http://chicago2012.asco.org/ASCODailyNews/LBA8500.aspx   Dabrafenib Extends Progression-Free Survival in Metastatic Melanoma, Has High Clinical Activity in Brain Metastases

http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/Meetings/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=114&abstractID=97727                                                                                                     

BREAK-MB: A phase II study assessing overall intracranial response rate (OIRR) to dabrafenib (GSK2118436) in patients (pts) with BRAF V600E/k mutation-positive melanoma with brain metastases (mets).

Updated safety and efficacy results from a phase I/II study of the oral BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib (GSK2118436) combined with the oral MEK 1/2 inhibitor trametinib (GSK1120212) in patients with BRAFi-naive metastatic melanoma.

Hope these help!!~ Lynn

http://chicago2012.asco.org/ASCODailyNews/LBA8500.aspx   Dabrafenib Extends Progression-Free Survival in Metastatic Melanoma, Has High Clinical Activity in Brain Metastases

http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/Meetings/Abstracts?&vmview=abst_detail_view&confID=114&abstractID=97727                                                                                                     

BREAK-MB: A phase II study assessing overall intracranial response rate (OIRR) to dabrafenib (GSK2118436) in patients (pts) with BRAF V600E/k mutation-positive melanoma with brain metastases (mets).

Updated safety and efficacy results from a phase I/II study of the oral BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib (GSK2118436) combined with the oral MEK 1/2 inhibitor trametinib (GSK1120212) in patients with BRAFi-naive metastatic melanoma.

Hope these help!!~ Lynn