BRAF inhibitor treatments have not been shown to work unless you have the faulty BRAF gene or mutation. A BRAF inhibitor (dabrafenib/encorafenib/vemurafenib) is given in combination with a MEK inhibitor (trametinib/binimetinib/cobimetinib). They are tablets and capsules which are taken daily.
Targeted treatment can be used to treat melanomas:
- That cannot be removed by surgery
- That have spread to other parts of the body Dabrafenib and trametinib or encorafenib and binimetinib are treatment options and treatment is continued until the treatment doesn’t work or unacceptable side effects occur.
- After surgery if the melanoma has only spread to the nearby area or lymph nodes and the surgeon was able to remove all of the melanoma. This treatment is called adjuvant treatment and it is given to help reduce the risk of the melanoma coming back. Dabrafenib and trametinib are given for up to a year. For more information on adjuvant treatment see here