Nivolumab for BRAF-Wildtype Tumors

In patients with metastatic melanoma without a BRAF mutation, nivolumab was associated with significantly improved overall and progression-free survival.

BRAF-wildtype (BRAF-WT) tumors (melanomas without BRAF mutations) have been an “orphaned” group of melanomas without any clear drug directives. A new class of antibodies aimed at immune checkpoint targets (ipilimumab and pembrolizumab) has recently come onto the market. Examination of the benefit of this new therapeutic class on BRAF-WT tumors is critical. Nivolumab is similar to pembrolizumab in that it targets the PD1 molecule.

In this prospective, randomized trial of untreated stage III or IV BRAF-WT melanoma, 210 patients were assigned to the nivolumab group and 208 to the dacarbazine group. The overall survival rate at 1 year was 72.9% in the nivolumab group and 42.1% in the dacarbazine group (hazard ratio for death with nivolumab, 0.42…

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)