Expert Discusses Role of Mutation Status in Treatment Decisions for Melanoma

Source: Targeted Oncology, March 2018

Although there are several single- and dual-agent treatment options available for patients diagnosed with melanoma who harbor a BRAF mutation, therapeutic options for patients with non-BRAF melanoma are still limited.
There are potential combination strategies, including MEK and ERK inhibitors, under investigation for patients with NRAS-mutant tumors, which make up about 20% to 25% of the melanoma patient population, says Ryan J. Sullivan, MD. However, the activity that has been seen with these options is only in the 15% to 20% range, compared with the above 50% response rates seen in early trials of BRAF inhibitors.
In an interview with Targeted Oncology, Sullivan, assistant professor, medicine, Harvard Medical School, and assistant professor, Hematology/Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, discussed the available therapies for patients with BRAF-mutant and non-BRAF-mutant melanoma, as well as the current role of mutation status in treatment decision making.