Dr. Postow on the FDA Approval of Encorafenib and Binimetinib in BRAF-Mutant Melanoma

Michael A. Postow, MD, medical oncologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the FDA approval of encorafenib (Braftovi) plus binimetinib (Mektovi) for the treatment of patients with BRAF-mutant advanced, unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

At a median follow-up of 36.8 months, combining encorafenib at 450 mg daily and binimetinib at 45 mg twice daily (COMBO450) reduced the risk of death by 39% versus vemurafenib (Zelboraf) monotherapy, according to findings from the phase III COLUMBUS trial. The median overall survival (OS) was 33.6 months (95% CI, 24.4-39.2) versus 16.9 months (95% CI, 14.0-24.5), respectively (HR, 0.61; 95% CI 0.47-0.79; P <.0001).

The OS benefit with the combination of the BRAF inhibitor and the MEK inhibitor was maintained across all subgroups including those defined by sex, age, BRAF status, LDH level, tumor stage, and number of organs involved at baseline.