Adjuvant targeted therapy

[Lisa Kottschade]

I’m curious with the recent approval this week of Dabrafenib and trametinib for resected stage III disease how do you anticipate incorporating this class of agents into your adjuvant practice?

[Rajni Kannan]

I think we are more likely to give immunotherapy adjuvantly. The side affects of dabrafenib especially the pyrexia are very difficult for patients to maintain their normal lifestyle. I think that dabrafenib and tramatenib do have a place adjuvantly with patients who can’t recieve immunotherapy such as those with precious history of colitis or other autoimmune conditions or organ transplant patients.

[Suzanne McGettigan]

Hi Lisa–
such a great question. I agree with Rajni. The oral targeted therapies are very challenging for many patients. There will definitely be a select group of patients in which these agents are used in the adjuvant setting, but the pyrexia and febrile syndrome make them quite challenging in more advanced melanoma patients.

[Mollie Reed]

I also agree with you all. I think that providers will start with IO unless it is contraindicated (pre-existing autoimmune disease, etc.). Plus, we all know how horribly the disease “explodes” once resistant to BRAF therapy. It will be interesting to see how it plays out, though.

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