Dabrafenib and trametinib for treatment of melanoma after surgery

This study wanted to see how long patients with melanoma would take to relapse (stop responding) when treated with dabrafenib (Tafinlar) plus tramentinib (Mekinst) after surgery. The study found that after four-years, the relapse rate was 59% compared to 40% in those who did not use the medications after surgery.

A BRAF mutation occurs in some types of melanoma. It is a mutation in a gene which makes the cancer cells grow faster. In some types of melanoma, the cancer gets cut out and the patients do not receive any more treatment. In others, the patients get chemotherapy after surgery to make sure the cancer is gone and will not come back. It is not known if this extra step of taking medication adds to the survival of the patients.

This study consisted of 870 patients. All of the patients had a mutation in the BRAF gene. They all had stage 3 melanoma cancer. All of the patients had the cancer cells completely removed through surgery. Of the 870 patients enrolled in the study, 438 received treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib. There were 432 patients who did not receive the addition treatment, but instead received a placebo treatment (a comparison treatment with no effect). Patients were followed for an average of 44 months.

After 3 years, it was found that 59% of the patients who received treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib had not had a relapse of the cancer, that is, the cancer had not come back. In the group who did not receive the medication, 40% did not have a relapse of cancer. After 4 years, it was found that 54% of the patients who received treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib had not had a relapse of the cancer, that is, the cancer had not come back. In the group who did not receive the medication, 38% did not have a relapse of cancer. It was also found that the patients who were treated with dabrafenib and trametinib were less likely to have the cancer spread.

The authors found that treatment with dabrafenib and trametinib led to a higher chance of the cancer not coming back in patients who had surgery for melanoma.

This is a fairly large study. It confirms results seen elsewhere.

Discuss your treatment plan with your oncologist regarding your options after surgery.