Doublet BRAF/MEK inhibition versus single-agent BRAF inhibition in the management of BRAF-mutant advanced melanoma, biological rationale and meta-analysis of published data

Clin Transl Oncol. 2016 Aug;18(8):848-58. doi: 10.1007/s12094-015-1438-0. Epub 2015 Oct 30.

Abstract

Back ground: We executed a comparative systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and toxicity of doublet BRAF/MEK inhibition versus single-agent BRAF inhibitor in the management of BRAF-mutant advanced melanoma.

Methods: Eligible studies included prospective studies evaluating doublet regimens versus BRAF-inhibitor monotherapy for the management of BRAF-mutant advanced melanoma.

Results: Our search strategy yielded 200 potentially relevant citations from searched databases. After preclusion of ineligible studies, four studies were included in the final analysis. Efficacy analyses demonstrate that BRAF/MEK inhibition strategy is associated with a significant improvement in ORR [OR 1.35; 95 % CI (1.16, 1.58); P = 0.0002], PFS [HR 0.56; 95 % CI (0.49, 0.64); P < 0.00001] and OS [HR 0.70; 95 % CI (0.58, 0.84); P = 0.0001]. Moreover, this combination is associated with a higher RR for diarrhea [1.30; 95 % CI (1.30, 1.49); P = 0.0002], decreased ejection fraction [4.63; 95 % CI (2.56, 8.37); P = <0.00001], acneiform dermatitis [1.61; 95 % CI (1.03, 2.53); P = 0.04] and pyrexia [1.98; 95 % CI (1.72, 2.27); P < 0.00001].

Conclusions: Our meta-analysis has demonstrated that combination of MEK/BRAF inhibitors is associated with higher ORR, PFS and OS. However, this comes at the expense of a higher risk of selected toxicities.

Keywords: Dabrafenib; Melanoma; Trametinib; Vemurafenib.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases