Dabrafenib in combination with trametinib for the treatment of metastatic melanoma

Oncogenic BRAF mutations are present in approximately 40–50% of patients with metastatic melanoma. Targeting BRAF mutations with either small molecule inhibitors of BRAF or one of the downstream mediators of oncogenic BRAF – MEK – is associated with improved outcomes compared with chemotherapy and has led to the US FDA approval of two BRAF inhibitors – vemurafenib and dabrafenib – and the MEK inhibitor trametinib. Further, the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib is well tolerated and associated with higher responses and improved survival compared with single-agent BRAF inhibitors.