An Unintended Consequence of Vemurafenib Therapy for Melanoma

One patient experienced progression of previously unrecognized leukemia.

The selective RAF inhibitor vemurafenib has elicited high response rates and improved survival in patients with metastatic BRAF V600E–mutant melanoma (JW Dermatol Feb 22 2012). The drug also activates signaling in cells with normal BRAF via a RAS-dependent mechanism, which is thought to increase risk for cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas in patients harboring RAS-mutated precursor skin lesions. Now, in a dramatic case report, investigators have identified the first known noncutaneous tumor progression in a 76-year-old man with metastatic melanoma treated with vemurafenib.

During the initial cycle of therapy, the patient experienced rapid regression of metastatic melanoma deposits associated with a concomitant rise in neutrophi…

Reviewing Author

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee

Michael E. Williams, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardAbbVie; AstraZeneca; Beigene; Janssen; Pharmacyclics

Grant/Research SupportJanssen

Editorial BoardsAmerican Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Hematology Longitudinal Knowledge Approval Committee