The FDA’s recent approval of Zelboraf is a major step towards treating patients with advanced stage melanoma. In clinical trials, about half of the patients taking Zelboraf had significant shrinkage of tumors. Researchers also found that patients taking Zelboraf had a 63% less chance of dying compared to patients taking the standard chemotherapy.

What makes Zelboraf unique in the treatment of cancer is the specificity with which it targets melanoma cells. In about half of the patients with metastatic melanoma, the tumor cells have a specific mutation in the BRAF gene. This mutation sends out a signal that tells the cancer cells to continue to grow and spread to other parts of the body. Zelboraf was engineered to turn off these growth signals.

As with every drug, Zelboraf has side effects including joint aches, skin rashes, sensitivity to the sun, and increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma (different type of skin cancer that is less deadly than melanoma).

Zelboraf is a promising drug for treating metastatic melanoma, but it will not change our overall approach to treating skin cancer.  Early detection followed by early treatment is the primary goal for treating all skin cancers.  Most skin cancers, including melanoma, are curable when caught and treated early.  This is why regular skin exams should be a part of your medical care.

For more information on Zelboraf, see KKTV's news clip regarding the drug. Click here to view.