New Melanomas on BRAF Inhibitors

Patients receiving selective BRAF inhibitors should be monitored for new or changing melanocytic lesions.

Several large-scale trials established the success of selective BRAF inhibitors (SBIs) for treating BRAF V600E–mutated melanomas. Squamous proliferations, often harboring RAS mutations, are associated with this treatment, which suggests that other non-BRAF V600E tumors may emerge during treatment. Investigators studied 19 patients at seven international centers who developed 22 changing melanocytic lesions or new primary melanomas while receiving SBI treatment and 21 patients with 22 common nevi and no history of malignant melanoma or any cancer treatment.

After initiation of therapy, 12 newly detected primary melanomas developed in 11 SBI recipients (7 invasive; in situ). The remaining 8 patients had nevi (9 dysplastic, 1 common). Genetic a…

Reviewing Author

Hensin Tsao, MD, PhD

Disclosures

Consultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical

EquityLubax

Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal

Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)