Melanoma: mechanisms of BRAF-inhibitor resistance deciphered
Monday, August 29, 2016 - 14:32
in Health & Medicine
BRAF mutation occurs in between 40% and 50% of metastasising melanomas (skin cancers), boosting tumour growth. Patients with metastasising melanomas and who display BRAF mutation can be treated with an inhibitor that acts specifically against BRAF mutation (BRAF inhibitor in combination with MEK inhibitor). Initially the treatment is extremely effective but, after a maximum of 11 months, the patient becomes resistant to it. Researchers have now identified some of the mechanisms that might cause this resistance.