As if having melanoma isn’t already a big enough hurdle, a certain mutation has the potential to accompany it which can accelerate the cancer growth. Fortunately, there are options.
“A BRAF mutation is a genetic abnormality that happens within 50 percent of melanomas that spread to other parts of the body," explains Dr. Anna Pavlick, medical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine. "It is this genetic abnormality that actually drives the melanoma to want to spread."
Read More- Dabrafenib (Tafinlar)
- Trametinib (Mekinist)
- Vemurafenib (Zelboraf)
- Encorafenib (Braftovi) plus Binimetinib (Mektovi)
- Dabrafenib (Tafinlar) plus trametinib (Mekinist)
- Vemurafenib (Zelboraf) plus cobimetinib (Cotellic)combined with the immunotherapy drug (atezolizumab)Tecentriq
Getting tested to see if you have the BRAF gene mutation is important in deciding how to tailor your melanoma treatment. If you have this genetic mutation, your doctor will go over your additional options, such as prescribing certain medicines designed to block the mutation.
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