A targeted combination drug therapy has shown efficacy in a study reporting major declines in the risk of disease progression and death in people with metastatic melanoma. The multicenter, double-blind, randomized, phase 3 trial compared oral dabrafenib (150 mg twice daily) and oral trametinib (2 mg once daily) combination therapy with oral dabrafenib (150 mg twice daily) and placebo.
MRV Research
VIDEO: MEK/BRAF combo puts brakes on BRAF-mutated advanced melanoma progression
In a video interview by Skin & Allergy News, Dr. McArthur discusses coBRIM and his suggestions for how clinicians may incorporate this novel strategy into practice.
Melanoma survival improves with targeted combo therapies
Recent studies appear to confirm greater efficacy of combination treatments over vemurafenib monotherapy in improving progression-free survival for patients with melanoma.
Melanoma growth rate objectively measured in sequential biopsies
Researchers were able to obtain an objective measure of melanoma growth rate by reviewing sequential biopsy specimens from initial misdiagnoses, as opposed to relying on subjective patient recall. Faster growth rates were associated with increased tumor thickness, high mitotic rate, symptoms, elevation and amelanosis, which coincides with previous research.