Early Experience with Dabrafenib–Trametinib Combination in Patients with BRAF-Mutated Malignant Melanoma—A Single-Center Experience

Abstract

Background Combination of dabrafenib–trametinib is one of the standard treatments in patients with BRAF-mutated advanced malignant melanoma (MM). Real-world data on the usage of this combination is scarce, especially from India. Here, we are reporting our early experience with the usage of this combination therapy. Materials and Methods This is a single institutional data assessment of patients with BRAF-mutated MM registered and treated with BRAF–MEK inhibitors in our hospital. Clinico-pathological features and treatment details were reviewed for all patients. Results A total of seven patients with BRAF-mutated MM treated with this combination therapy with a median age of 66.5 years (range: 49–72 years) and a male:female ratio of 3:4. Six (85.7%) patients had metastatic disease at presentation. In total, 80% of our patient population had two or less than two sites of metastasis at presentation. The initial response rate of the study population was 71%. The drug was well tolerated with fever being the most common side effect which was seen in two (28.5%) of the patients. Conclusion Combination of dabrafenib–trametinib is effective in patients with BRAF-mutated MM with good tolerability. Further studies are required to look for improvement in outcome in this group of patients.

Keywords

• malignant melanoma
• braf mutation
• dabrafenib
• trametinib