Study Reveals Key Factors Guiding Shared Decision-Making for BRAF V600E/K+ Melanoma
Source: Targeted Oncology, May 2023
Oncologists take multiple treatment attributes into consideration when deciding between options for patients with BRAF V600E/K-mutant metastatic melanoma. According to research presented in a poster during the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes (iSPOR) 2023 Meeting, progression-free survival (PFS) and safety are the key drivers of treatment choice.
Currently, 3 BRAF/MEK combinations are FDA-approved for the treatment of BRAF/MEK-mutant metastatic melanoma. The combinations include dabrafenib (Tafinlar) plus trametinib (Mekinist), vemurafenib (Zelboraf) plus cobimetinib (Cotellic), and encorafenib (Braftovi) plus binimetinib (Mektovi). Although these mechanisms are similar, they differ in terms of the ways they are dosed, their safety profiles, and their efficacy.
The study observed treatment decisions made by patients based on information given by their providers regarding available therapies. Patients were asked to decide on several attributes that weigh on their decision making. The attributes included efficacy, safety (fever, diarrhea, photosensitivity), dosing scheduling, and food requirement.