Treatment exceeds expectations with vemurafenib monotherapy in a patient with BRAF V600E -mutant metastatic melanoma

Abstract

Introduction

Patients with distant metastatic melanoma has a poor prognosis, with a reported median survival time of six to eight months. In modern era, survival has prolonged with the immunotherapy and targeted therapy options. Potent and selective BRAF inhibitors have been developed that specifically inhibit mutated BRAF over other RAF kinases. Vemurafenib was the first selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor developed to target the V600E allele of BRAF-mutant melanoma.

Case Report

In this report, we present a case of BRAF^V600E-mutant metastatic melanoma, which is being treated with vemurafenib monotherapy with complete response for about seven years.

Management and Outcome

The patient is still being treated with vemurafenib and radiologic complete response is ongoing for about seven years.

Discussion

Patients treated with BRAF inhibitors monotherapy had promising response rates and improvement in the progression-free survival and overall survival, but melanoma cells became resistant very quickly, affecting the progression. In this case, we present a case that has permanent response to vemurafenib monotherapy.