Georgina Long, BSc, PhD, MBBS, FRACP, co-medical director, Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA), chair of Melanoma Medical Oncology and Translational Research, MIA and Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, discusses the rationale for the phase 3 COMBI-i trial in 

The COMBI-i study evaluated the combination of spartalizumab, dabrafenib ​(Tafinlar), and trametinib ​(Mekinist), says Long. Findings from parts 1 and 2 of the phase 3 trial were presented during the 

 and showed encouraging clinical activity and tolerability with the novel triplet. 

When using a BRAF inhibitor in combination with a MEK inhibitor, patient biopsies ​often show an influx of T cells within the first week of treatment​, Long explains.

Ultimately, this was the rationale behind the study, ​as the field wanted to determine whether the addition of immunotherapy would induce prolonged, durable responses in this patient population, Long concludes.

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Georgina Long, BSc, PhD, MBBS, FRACP, discusses the rationale for the phase 3 COMBI-i trial in BRAF V600­–mutant melanoma.








Dr. Long on the Rationale for the Phase 3 COMBI-i Trial in BRAF V600¬–Mutant Melanoma 

Georgina Long, BSc, PhD, MBBS, FRACP, medical oncologist, translational researcher, Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, discusses which patients may benefit from the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib based on several recent clinical trials.

The FDA just granted a full approval of dabrafenib and trametinib for patients with unresectable or metastatic BRAF-mutated melanoma.

Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) drives which patients will benefit from the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib, says Long. The number of disease sites a patient has is also relevant, says Long. Out of the 617 patients that received this combiantion, about one-third had normal LDH at baseline and less than three disease sites. These patients had a three-year survival of about 70%, says Long.

Another interesting observation was that different patients progressed on the combination at different rates, says Long. Those who tend to progress quickly tend to develop new brain metastasis or growth in new and existing sites.

Georgina Long, BSc, PhD, MBBS, FRACP, medical oncologist, translational researcher, Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, discusses which patients may benefit from the combination of dabrafenib and trametinib based on several recent clinical trials.


Georgina Long, BSc, PhD, MBBS, FRACP

Articles

Dr. Long on the Rationale for the Phase 3 COMBI-i Trial in BRAF V600¬–Mutant Melanoma

Dr. Georgina Long on Dabrafenib and Trametinib in BRAF-Mutated Melanoma