Melanoma cells often have genetic mutations that cause the cells to rapidly divide and grow. Targeted therapy focuses on these mutations within specific molecules to block the growth of cancer, such as melanoma.
Targeted therapy is systemic, which means that the drugs reach parts of your body through the bloodstream. As a systemic cancer treatment, targeted therapy fights metastatic cancer, which has spread from the original tumor to other areas.
Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) is a drug that shrinks tumors and helps patients with advanced melanoma live longer.
Dabrafenib is a BRAF (pronounced bee-raff) inhibitor, which:
Dabrafenib blocks the activity of a mutated protein called BRAF, a molecule that helps regulate cell growth. A BRAF mutation signals cells to develop abnormally and divide out of control. These cells grow into a melanoma tumor.
About half of all melanomas have a BRAF mutation. Dabrafenib specifically targets the V600E mutated BRAF protein. The drug interferes with abnormal BRAF signals to slow or stop the out-of-control cell growth.
In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved dabrafenib to treat patients who have advanced stages of melanoma:
If you have advanced melanoma, your physician will test you for BRAF mutations before prescribing dabrafenib. The physician will send a biopsy (sample of cancer tissue removed from your body) to a special lab for analysis. Dabrafenib:
Patients take dabrafenib orally (swallowing by mouth).
Dabrafenib targets specific molecules that regulate cancer cell growth, with the goals of:
Results from studies and clinical trials showed that dabrafenib improved outcomes more than DTIC (dacarbazine), a chemotherapy drug.
Melanoma treatments, like dabrafenib, have side effects, which can sometimes be serious. Patients should talk with their physician to learn more about the side effects of dabrafenib and other melanoma treatment options.
Not all treatments work for all melanoma patients, because everyone is different. If you are interested in learning more about dabrafenib, here are some questions you should ask your physicians:
Patient Assistant Programs (PAPs) are designed so that you still have access to the treatments you need, in any financial circumstance. Learn more about the manufacturer’s patient assistance program and other options here.
Manufacturer’s Patient Assistance
Latest Treatments for Advanced Melanoma
The FDA has approved several new, effective treatments for patients who have advanced melanoma. Learn more about:
