Pathological complete response induced by neoadjuvant treatment using BRAF and MEK inhibitors in a patient with unresectable BRAF V600E-mutant malignant melanoma of the gallbladder

Abstract

Zhou Yu,1 Elisa Quiroz,2 Yulei Shen,3 Ishmael A Jaiyesimi1 1Department of Hematology and Oncology, William Beaumont Hospital, Oakland University – William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, MI, USA; 2Department of Internal Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Oakland University – William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, MI, USA; 3Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital, Oakland University – William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, MI, USA Abstract: Historically, patients with locally advanced or metastatic melanoma have an extremely poor prognosis. In recent years, major breakthroughs in cutaneous melanoma treatment have led to remarkable improvements in patient outcomes. However, there are limited published data on the efficacy of these novel therapies in the treatment of mucosal melanoma due to rarity of the disease. We report a case of successful neoadjuvant targeted therapy with BRAF and MEK inhibitors followed by radical surgical excision in a patient with advanced malignant melanoma of the gallbladder. Keywords: melanoma, gallbladder, BRAF V600E mutation, neoadjuvant, targeted therapy

Keywords

• melanoma
• gallbladder
• BRAF V600E mutation
• neoadjuvant
• targeted therapy