Utilizing BRAF/MEK Inhibitors to Reduce Morbidity in a Pediatric Patient With Ameloblastoma: A Case Report

Ameloblastoma is a benign, locally aggressive odontogenic tumor, most commonly occurring within the mandible. Mural unicystic ameloblastoma is a highly recurrent subtype when treated with enucleation due to invasion of tumor cells within the fibrous cyst wall and adjacent tissues. Surgical resection is indicated to minimize recurrence, raising concerns for significant morbidity in young patients. New nonsurgical treatment methods involving molecular targeted therapy against the BRAF V600 E mutation have shown promising results. Here, we describe a 13-year-old male who was diagnosed with mural unicystic ameloblastoma with BRAF mutation and treated with a novel combinatorial approach of decompression with stenting, dabrafenib (anti-BRAF) + trametinib (anti-MEK) to shrink the tumor followed by definitive enucleation with 30 month follow up.