Zelboraf: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects
A selective BRAF kinase inhibitor for treating BRAF V600 mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma in adults
Zelboraf (vemurafenib) is a targeted anticancer medicine used to treat adult patients with melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body or that cannot be surgically removed, provided the melanoma carries a specific genetic change called the BRAF V600 mutation. Approximately half of all melanomas harbor this mutation, which causes the BRAF protein to become permanently activated, driving uncontrolled cancer cell growth. Vemurafenib works by selectively blocking this mutated BRAF protein, shutting down the aberrant signaling pathway and causing cancer cells to die. Zelboraf is taken as an oral tablet and requires a confirmed BRAF V600 mutation test before treatment can begin. It was the first BRAF inhibitor approved for melanoma and has fundamentally changed the treatment landscape for BRAF-mutant melanoma worldwide.
Quick Facts: Zelboraf
Key Takeaways
- Zelboraf (vemurafenib) is a targeted oral therapy that selectively inhibits the mutated BRAF V600E kinase, blocking the cancer-driving RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway in melanoma cells carrying this specific mutation.
- A validated BRAF V600 mutation test must confirm the presence of the mutation before treatment can begin; Zelboraf should not be used in patients with wild-type BRAF melanoma as it may paradoxically accelerate tumor growth.
- The standard dose is 960 mg (four 240 mg tablets) taken twice daily, approximately 12 hours apart; tablets should be swallowed whole with water and can be taken with or without food, but not consistently on an empty stomach.
- Notable side effects include cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, new primary melanoma, severe photosensitivity, QT prolongation, and liver toxicity; regular skin examinations and cardiac monitoring are essential throughout treatment.
- Women and men of reproductive potential must use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose; Zelboraf may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.
What Is Zelboraf and What Is It Used For?
Zelboraf contains the active substance vemurafenib, a potent and selective inhibitor of the BRAF serine-threonine kinase. It belongs to a class of medicines known as protein kinase inhibitors or, more specifically, BRAF inhibitors. These targeted therapies represent a fundamental shift from traditional chemotherapy, as they are designed to attack cancer cells with a specific molecular vulnerability while causing less harm to healthy cells.
Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. In approximately 40–60% of cutaneous melanomas, a mutation occurs in the BRAF gene – most commonly the V600E mutation (accounting for about 90% of BRAF mutations in melanoma), but also V600K, V600D, and other V600 variants. The normal BRAF protein plays a role in regulating cell growth through the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK (also known as the MAPK) signaling pathway. When the BRAF gene is mutated at the V600 position, the resulting protein becomes constitutively (permanently) active, sending continuous growth signals that drive uncontrolled cell proliferation and prevent normal cell death (apoptosis). This is one of the key drivers of melanoma development and progression.
Vemurafenib was specifically engineered to target the mutated BRAF V600E protein. By binding to the ATP-binding site of the mutant BRAF kinase, vemurafenib inhibits its catalytic activity, effectively shutting down the hyperactivated RAF/MEK/ERK signaling cascade. This leads to reduced cell proliferation and ultimately induces apoptosis in melanoma cells that depend on the mutated BRAF protein for their survival and growth. The drug’s selectivity for the mutated form of BRAF is what makes it a targeted therapy – it preferentially inhibits the mutant protein while having less effect on the normal (wild-type) BRAF.
Zelboraf is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and regulatory authorities worldwide for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma that harbors a BRAF V600 mutation, as detected by a validated test. The term “unresectable” means the melanoma cannot be completely removed by surgery, while “metastatic” means it has spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs, liver, brain, or bones.
The clinical development of vemurafenib was a landmark achievement in oncology. The pivotal Phase III BRIM-3 trial compared vemurafenib with dacarbazine (a traditional chemotherapy agent) in patients with previously untreated BRAF V600E-positive metastatic melanoma. Results demonstrated a significant improvement in both overall survival and progression-free survival with vemurafenib. Objective response rates were approximately 48% with vemurafenib compared to 5% with dacarbazine, and median progression-free survival was approximately 5.3 months versus 1.6 months. These results established vemurafenib as a new standard of care and opened the era of targeted therapy in melanoma.
Before starting Zelboraf, your melanoma must be tested and confirmed to carry a BRAF V600 mutation using a validated diagnostic test. Vemurafenib is only effective in cancers driven by this specific mutation. Using it in patients with wild-type (normal) BRAF is not recommended, as the drug may paradoxically activate the MAPK pathway and potentially accelerate tumor growth in these settings.
What Should You Know Before Taking Zelboraf?
Contraindications
Zelboraf must not be used in certain situations. Understanding these absolute contraindications is essential for your safety.
- Hypersensitivity: Do not take Zelboraf if you are allergic to vemurafenib or any of the other ingredients in the tablet. Symptoms of allergic reactions may include swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, difficulty breathing, skin rash, or feeling faint. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking Zelboraf and seek medical attention immediately.
Warnings and Precautions
Zelboraf can cause the development of a type of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cuSCC) and new primary melanomas. This occurs due to paradoxical activation of the MAPK pathway in cells with pre-existing RAS mutations. Your doctor will examine your skin regularly before, during, and for up to 6 months after completing treatment. Any suspicious skin changes should be biopsied and surgically removed. Treatment with Zelboraf can usually continue after these lesions are excised.
Talk to your doctor before taking Zelboraf if any of the following apply to you:
- Allergic reactions: Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur during treatment. If you develop symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, difficulty breathing, skin rash, or feeling faint, stop taking Zelboraf and seek immediate medical attention.
- Severe skin reactions: Serious skin reactions including blistering on the skin, blisters or sores in the mouth, skin peeling, fever, redness or swelling of the face, hands, or soles of the feet may occur. These could indicate life-threatening conditions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Stop taking Zelboraf and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Previous cancer: Inform your doctor if you have had any type of cancer other than melanoma. Zelboraf may cause progression of certain pre-existing cancers with RAS mutations, including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
- Radiation therapy: Tell your doctor if you have received, are receiving, or will receive radiation therapy. Zelboraf can worsen the side effects of radiation therapy (radiation recall or radiation sensitization), affecting the skin, esophagus, bladder, liver, rectum, and lungs, even in areas treated with radiation long before starting vemurafenib.
- Heart problems: Inform your doctor if you have any cardiac conditions, particularly QT prolongation. Vemurafenib can prolong the QT interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG), which in rare cases may lead to potentially dangerous irregular heartbeats. Your doctor will perform ECGs before starting treatment and regularly during treatment. Electrolyte imbalances (especially low potassium, magnesium, or calcium) should be corrected before and during therapy.
- Eye problems: Your eyes should be examined by your doctor while you are taking Zelboraf. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop eye pain, swelling, redness, blurred vision, or other visual changes. Uveitis (inflammation of the eye) and retinal vein occlusion have been reported.
- Musculoskeletal problems: Inform your doctor if you notice unusual thickening of the palms of your hands with tightening of the fingers inward (Dupuytren contracture) or unusual thickening of the soles of your feet that may be painful (plantar fascial fibromatosis).
- Liver or kidney problems: Tell your doctor if you have any liver or kidney conditions. These may affect how Zelboraf works in your body. Your doctor will monitor your liver and kidney function with blood tests before and during treatment.
Zelboraf makes your skin significantly more sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity), and severe sunburn can occur. While taking Zelboraf, avoid direct sun exposure. When outdoors, wear protective clothing covering your head, face, arms, and legs. Use lip balm and broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, reapplied every 2–3 hours. This is not optional – sun protection is a critical part of your treatment plan.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Zelboraf is not recommended during pregnancy unless your doctor determines that the benefit to the mother clearly outweighs the potential risk to the unborn child. There is no clinical safety data available for vemurafenib in pregnant women. Based on its mechanism of action, vemurafenib may cause harm to a developing fetus. If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
It is not known whether vemurafenib passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Zelboraf. Discuss the risks and benefits of breastfeeding versus treatment with your healthcare provider.
Both women and men of reproductive potential must use an effective method of contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Importantly, Zelboraf may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (such as combined oral contraceptive pills). If you use hormonal contraception, inform your doctor so that an additional or alternative contraceptive method can be recommended.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Zelboraf may cause side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, or visual disturbances that could affect your ability to drive or use machines. Be aware of how you react to the medication before performing these activities. If you experience any symptoms that impair your alertness or vision, refrain from driving or operating machinery until the symptoms resolve.
Important Information About Ingredients
Zelboraf 240 mg film-coated tablets contain less than 1 mmol (23 mg) of sodium per tablet, meaning they are essentially sodium-free. This is not a concern for patients on a sodium-restricted diet.
How Does Zelboraf Interact with Other Drugs?
Before starting treatment with Zelboraf, it is critical to tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking, have recently taken, or might take – including prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, herbal supplements, and vitamins. Vemurafenib has a complex pharmacological profile: it is a moderate inhibitor of CYP1A2 and a substrate and inducer of CYP3A4. It also interacts with transport proteins including P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). These properties mean that many medications can either affect vemurafenib levels or have their own levels altered by vemurafenib.
Major Interactions
| Interacting Drug | Effect | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Ipilimumab | Increased hepatotoxicity (liver damage), including fatal cases | Combination not recommended due to unacceptable toxicity |
| QT-prolonging drugs (e.g., quinidine, amiodarone, ondansetron) | Additive QT prolongation, risk of dangerous arrhythmias | Avoid if possible; monitor ECG closely if unavoidable |
| Warfarin | Altered warfarin metabolism, unpredictable changes in INR | Monitor INR frequently; dose adjustments may be needed |
| Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John’s Wort) | Decreased vemurafenib plasma levels, reduced efficacy | Avoid concurrent use; efficacy may be significantly diminished |
| Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, ritonavir, voriconazole) | Increased vemurafenib plasma levels, greater risk of toxicity | Use with caution; monitor closely for side effects |
Minor Interactions
| Interacting Drug | Effect | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| CYP1A2 substrates (e.g., caffeine, theophylline, olanzapine) | Increased levels of CYP1A2 substrates due to vemurafenib’s inhibitory effect | Dose adjustment of the substrate may be needed |
| CYP3A4 substrates (e.g., certain oral contraceptives) | Vemurafenib may induce CYP3A4, reducing substrate levels | Hormonal contraceptives may be less effective; use additional contraception |
| P-gp substrates (e.g., digoxin, aliskiren, colchicine, fexofenadine) | Increased levels of P-gp substrates | Monitor for signs of toxicity of co-administered P-gp substrates |
| BCRP substrates (e.g., methotrexate, rosuvastatin, mitoxantrone) | Increased levels of BCRP substrates | Monitor and consider dose reduction of the substrate |
| CYP2C8 substrates | Vemurafenib inhibits CYP2C8, potentially increasing substrate levels | Use caution with narrow therapeutic index CYP2C8 substrates |
Due to the complexity of vemurafenib’s drug interaction profile, your oncologist will carefully review all your medications before starting treatment. If you begin taking any new medication during Zelboraf treatment, always inform your medical team first. This includes herbal products, as some (such as St. John’s Wort) can significantly reduce vemurafenib effectiveness.
What Is the Correct Dosage of Zelboraf?
Always take Zelboraf exactly as your doctor has told you. Do not change the dose or stop taking it without consulting your doctor. The standard dosing regimen has been established through clinical trials to provide the optimal balance of efficacy and tolerability.
Adults
Standard Adult Dosage
Dose: 960 mg (four 240 mg tablets) twice daily
Schedule: Take 4 tablets in the morning and 4 tablets in the evening, approximately 12 hours apart
Total daily dose: 1,920 mg (eight tablets per day)
Duration: Continue treatment for as long as your doctor prescribes it, typically until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
Administration: Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or crush. Do not take consistently on an empty stomach – take with or after food.
If you experience side effects, your doctor may decide to continue treatment at a lower dose. Dose reductions follow a stepwise approach: the first reduction is to 720 mg twice daily (three tablets twice daily), and the second reduction is to 480 mg twice daily (two tablets twice daily). If further dose reduction below 480 mg twice daily would be required, your doctor will consider discontinuing treatment.
Children and Adolescents
Zelboraf is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. The safety and efficacy of vemurafenib in this population have not been established, and there is no clinical data to support its use in pediatric patients.
Elderly Patients
No specific dose adjustment is necessary for patients over 65 years of age. However, elderly patients may be more susceptible to certain side effects, particularly skin reactions and QT prolongation. Your doctor will monitor you carefully and adjust the dose if needed based on tolerability.
Missed Dose
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
More than 4 hours until next dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then take the next dose at the regular time.
Less than 4 hours until next dose: Skip the missed dose entirely. Take the next dose at the regular time.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you vomit after taking Zelboraf, continue with your normal dosing schedule. Do not take an additional dose to replace the vomited tablets.
Overdose
If you take more Zelboraf than prescribed, contact your doctor immediately. Taking too much vemurafenib increases the risk and severity of side effects. No specific cases of overdose have been reported in clinical trials. There is no specific antidote for vemurafenib overdose, and treatment would be supportive, focusing on managing symptoms. Your doctor may monitor your heart (ECG), liver function, and skin more closely.
It is important that you continue to take Zelboraf for as long as your doctor prescribes it. Stopping treatment prematurely may allow the melanoma to resume growing. If you have questions or concerns about your treatment, discuss them with your oncologist before making any changes.
What Are the Side Effects of Zelboraf?
Like all medicines, Zelboraf can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Some side effects may be serious and require immediate medical attention. Your medical team will monitor you closely and manage side effects as they arise, potentially adjusting your dose or temporarily pausing treatment.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience: swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; difficulty breathing; skin rash with blistering; fever with skin peeling; or feeling faint. These may be signs of a severe allergic reaction or dangerous skin reaction. Do not take any more Zelboraf until you have spoken with your doctor.
Worsening of radiation therapy side effects (radiation recall) can occur in patients who have received radiation before, during, or after Zelboraf treatment. This may affect the skin, esophagus, bladder, liver, rectum, and lungs in the previously irradiated area. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience skin rash or blistering, shortness of breath or cough (pneumonitis), or difficulty swallowing (esophagitis) in areas that were previously treated with radiation.
Very Common
May affect more than 1 in 10 people
- Skin rash, itching, dry or flaking skin
- Skin problems including warts (papillomas)
- Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer)
- Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (redness, peeling, or blisters on hands and feet)
- Sunburn and increased sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity)
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Taste changes (dysgeusia)
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Joint pain (arthralgia) and muscle pain (myalgia)
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Pain in arms and legs
- Back pain
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Fever (pyrexia)
- Swelling, usually in the legs (peripheral edema)
- Cough
Common
May affect up to 1 in 10 people
- Basal cell carcinoma and new primary melanoma (types of skin cancer)
- Dupuytren contracture (thickening of palm tissue, fingers pulling inward)
- Uveitis (inflammation of the eye)
- Bell’s palsy (facial nerve paralysis, often reversible)
- Peripheral neuropathy (tingling or burning in hands and feet)
- Joint inflammation (arthritis)
- Inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis)
- Weight loss
- Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis)
- Elevated liver enzymes (ALT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin)
- QT prolongation (change in heart electrical activity)
- Inflammation of subcutaneous fat (panniculitis)
- Abnormal kidney test results (elevated creatinine)
- Elevated GGT (liver enzyme)
- Decreased white blood cells (neutropenia)
- Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
- Mouth sores or inflammation (stomatitis)
Uncommon
May affect up to 1 in 100 people
- Allergic reactions including swelling of the face and difficulty breathing
- Retinal vein occlusion (blockage of blood flow in the eye)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Liver damage, including serious hepatotoxicity
- Non-cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (a type of cancer)
- Plantar fascial fibromatosis (thickening of foot sole tissue)
Rare
May affect up to 1 in 1,000 people
- Progression of pre-existing cancers with RAS mutations (e.g., chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, pancreatic adenocarcinoma)
- Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) – severe skin rash with fever and inflammation of internal organs
- Sarcoidosis (inflammatory disease primarily affecting skin, lungs, and eyes)
- Acute interstitial nephritis (kidney inflammation)
- Acute tubular necrosis (damage to kidney tubules)
Skin Monitoring
Your doctor will examine your skin regularly before, during, and for up to 6 months after completing Zelboraf treatment. This monitoring is particularly important because of the risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and new primary melanomas. These typically arise in sun-damaged skin, remain localized, and can be cured by surgical removal. Additionally, your doctor will examine your head, neck, mouth, and lymph nodes, and you will undergo regular CT scans as a precaution. Genital examinations (for women) and anal examinations are also recommended at baseline and at the end of treatment.
If you experience any side effects, including those not listed above, tell your doctor. You can also report suspected side effects to your national medicines regulatory authority (e.g., EMA in Europe, FDA MedWatch in the United States, or MHRA Yellow Card Scheme in the United Kingdom).
How Should Zelboraf Be Stored?
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use Zelboraf after the expiry date printed on the carton and blister packaging after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of the stated month.
- Packaging: Store in the original packaging to protect from moisture. Zelboraf is moisture-sensitive.
- Temperature: No special temperature storage conditions are required; store at room temperature below 30°C (86°F).
- Light: No special precautions for light protection are necessary.
- Disposal: Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to properly dispose of medicines you no longer use. These measures help protect the environment.
What Does Zelboraf Contain?
Active Substance
The active substance is vemurafenib. Each film-coated tablet contains 240 milligrams (mg) of vemurafenib, formulated as a co-precipitate of vemurafenib and hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMCAS). This special formulation improves the bioavailability of vemurafenib, which is a poorly water-soluble compound. The co-precipitate technology enables adequate absorption of the drug from the gastrointestinal tract.
Inactive Ingredients (Excipients)
- Tablet core: Colloidal anhydrous silica, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropylcellulose, and magnesium stearate
- Film coating: Red iron oxide (E172), macrogol 3350, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide (E171)
Appearance and Pack Size
Zelboraf 240 mg film-coated tablets are light pink to light orange in color. They are oval-shaped with “VEM” engraved on one side. The tablets are supplied in aluminium perforated unit-dose blisters in packs of 56 × 1 tablets.
Manufacturer
Zelboraf is marketed by Roche. The marketing authorization holder is Roche Registration GmbH, Emil-Barell-Strasse 1, 79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany. The manufacturer is Roche Pharma AG, Emil-Barell-Strasse 1, D-79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zelboraf
Zelboraf (vemurafenib) is used to treat adult patients with melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) or cannot be removed by surgery (unresectable), but only when the melanoma has been confirmed to carry a BRAF V600 mutation through a validated genetic test. It works by selectively blocking the mutated BRAF protein that drives cancer cell growth.
Zelboraf works by selectively inhibiting the mutated BRAF V600E kinase protein. In BRAF-mutant melanoma, this protein is permanently switched on, driving uncontrolled cell growth through the RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signaling pathway. Vemurafenib binds to and blocks this overactive protein, shutting down the growth signals and causing cancer cell death (apoptosis). It preferentially targets the mutant protein, which is why a BRAF mutation test is mandatory before treatment.
Zelboraf can paradoxically activate the MAPK signaling pathway in cells that have pre-existing RAS mutations (a different genetic change). When vemurafenib blocks BRAF in these cells, it causes paradoxical activation of another RAF isoform (CRAF), leading to increased MAPK signaling. In skin cells with pre-existing RAS mutations and sun damage, this can accelerate the growth of precancerous lesions into cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas or keratoacanthomas. This is why regular skin examinations are essential. These secondary skin cancers are typically localized and treatable with surgical excision.
You must take extreme caution with sun exposure while taking Zelboraf. The drug causes significant photosensitivity, meaning your skin becomes much more vulnerable to sunburn, which can be severe. You should avoid direct sunlight whenever possible. When outdoors, wear protective clothing covering your head, face, arms, and legs. Use lip balm and a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30, reapplied every 2–3 hours. Even brief unprotected sun exposure can result in serious burns.
Zelboraf is not recommended during pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the mother clearly outweighs the risk to the fetus. There is no clinical safety data for vemurafenib in pregnant women, and based on its mechanism of action, it may cause harm to a developing baby. Both women and men of reproductive potential must use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after the last dose. Importantly, Zelboraf may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, so additional or alternative methods should be discussed with your doctor.
Treatment with Zelboraf continues for as long as the drug is effective and the side effects remain manageable. Your oncologist will regularly assess your response through imaging scans and clinical evaluations. Treatment is discontinued if the melanoma progresses, if side effects become too severe despite dose reductions, or if you decide to stop. In the pivotal BRIM-3 clinical trial, median progression-free survival was approximately 5.3 months, although individual responses vary considerably and some patients benefit from treatment for much longer.
References
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Zelboraf (vemurafenib) – Summary of Product Characteristics. Last updated 2025. Available from: EMA EPAR.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Zelboraf (vemurafenib) Prescribing Information. Revised 2024. Available from: FDA Drug Label.
- Chapman PB, Hauschild A, Robert C, et al. Improved survival with vemurafenib in melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation (BRIM-3). N Engl J Med. 2011;364(26):2507–2516. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1103782.
- McArthur GA, Chapman PB, Robert C, et al. Safety and efficacy of vemurafenib in BRAF V600E and BRAF V600K mutation-positive melanoma (BRIM-3): extended follow-up of a phase 3, randomised, open-label study. Lancet Oncol. 2014;15(3):323–332. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(14)70012-9.
- Michielin O, van Akkooi ACJ, Ascierto PA, et al. Cutaneous melanoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol. 2024;35(5):442–462.
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Melanoma: Cutaneous. Version 2.2025.
- Bollag G, Hirth P, Tsai J, et al. Clinical efficacy of a RAF inhibitor needs broad target blockade in BRAF-mutant melanoma. Nature. 2010;467(7315):596–599. doi:10.1038/nature09454.
- Flaherty KT, Puzanov I, Kim KB, et al. Inhibition of mutated, activated BRAF in metastatic melanoma. N Engl J Med. 2010;363(9):809–819. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1002011.
- World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Model List of Essential Medicines – 23rd List. Geneva: WHO; 2023.
- Su F, Viros A, Milagre C, et al. RAS mutations in cutaneous squamous-cell carcinomas in patients treated with BRAF inhibitors. N Engl J Med. 2012;366(3):207–215. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1105358.
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This article was written and reviewed by the iMedic Medical Editorial Team, comprising licensed specialist physicians with expertise in oncology, dermatology, and clinical pharmacology.
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