Volatile Nevi on Vemurafenib

Digital dermoscopy is recommended for vemurafenib recipients to accurately detect secondary primary melanomas and reduce the number of unnecessary excisions.

Several recent reports have documented significant changes in nevi of patients undergoing vemurafenib treatment for melanoma. This latest study delineates the dermoscopic changes associated with selective BRAF inhibition.

To characterize changes in existing lesions of vemurafenib-treated melanoma patients, investigators performed dermoscopic examinations of all pigmented lesions. A mean of 51 lesions per person (range, 7–143) was examined at baseline and monthly for a mean of 6.7 months in 42 patients. Dermoscopic changes were noted in up to 49.9% of lesions during the second month, and most changes occurred in the first 5 months. Changes occurred in the following characteristics: size increase or decrease, darkening or lightening of color, …

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)