Spartalizumab in addition to dabrafenib and trametinib for unresectable or metastatic BRAF V600 mutant melanoma – first‐line

Spartalizumab in addition to dabrafenib and trametinib, is in clinical development for patients with previously untreated unresectable or metastatic BRAF V600 mutant
melanoma. Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive and life‐threatening form of skin cancer. General symptoms of advanced melanoma may include weight loss, loss
of appetite and fatigue. Factors associated with a higher risk of developing melanoma include a fair skin, exposure to sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet (UV) energy,
and a history of sunburn or moles.
Spartalizumab with dabrafenib and trametinib presents a new combination for this indication. Spartalizumab works by improving the activity of a type of white blood cells
called T‐cells thereby increasing the ability of the immune system to kill cancer cells. Dabrafenib inhibits a protein called BRAF which prevents tumour cells from growing.
Trametinib inhibits the growth of cell lines with a mutation in BRAF protein. If licensed, spartalizumab in addition to dabrafenib and trametinib will offer an additional option
for previously untreated patients with unresectable or metastatic BRAF V600 mutant melanoma.