Dabrafenib plus trametinib in unselected advanced BRAF V600-mut melanoma: a non-interventional, multicenter,

Erika Richtig1, Van A Nguyen2, Peter Koelblinger3

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz.

Melanoma Research
|December 13, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study shows that dabrafenib plus trametinib is effective and safe for BRAF V600-mutant melanoma patients in real-world settings. The combination therapy demonstrated comparable outcomes to clinical trials, even in a broader patient population.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • The efficacy of combined BRAF and MEK inhibitors in a broad population of patients with BRAF V600-mutant melanoma, including those excluded from pivotal trials, requires further investigation.
  • Real-world data is crucial for understanding treatment outcomes in diverse patient groups.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the real-world efficacy, safety, and tolerability of dabrafenib plus trametinib in Austrian patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma.
  • To evaluate outcomes in a patient population with characteristics often excluded from phase 3 trials, such as poorer performance status and elevated LDH.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter, open-label, non-interventional, post-approval, observational study (DATUM-NIS) was conducted.
  • The study included 79 patients with BRAF V600-mutant unresectable/metastatic melanoma, M1c disease, ECOG performance status >1, and elevated LDH.
  • Primary endpoints included 6-, 12-, and 18-month progression-free survival (PFS) rates; secondary endpoints included median PFS, disease control rate, and overall survival (OS).

Main Results:

  • The 6-, 12-, and 18-month PFS rates were 76%, 30.6%, and 16.2%, respectively.
  • Median PFS was 9.1 months and median OS was 17.9 months, with 12- and 24-month OS rates of 62.7% and 26.8%.
  • Subgroup analyses revealed significant PFS benefits in the absence of lung metastasis and significant OS benefits in the absence of bone or lung metastasis. S100 and ECOG PS significantly impacted survival. No new safety signals were identified.

Conclusions:

  • Dabrafenib plus trametinib demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to pivotal phase 3 trials in an unselected real-world population of melanoma patients.
  • The treatment showed effectiveness even in patients with advanced disease (M1c), higher ECOG performance status, and elevated LDH.
  • This study supports the use of dabrafenib plus trametinib in routine clinical practice for BRAF V600-mutant melanoma, including challenging patient subgroups.