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Cutaneous Reactions to BRAF Inhibitors

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Abstract

BRAF inhibitors, specifically vemurafenib and dabrafenib, are emerging as first-line treatment for unresectable and/or metastatic BRAF mutated melanoma due to their superior efficacy and improved survival statistics. While better tolerated than previously used treatment options, they carry high rates of cutaneous reactions, with most BRAF-inhibitor treated patients experiencing at least one cutaneous adverse effect.

Photosensitivity, various skin rashes, skin papillomas, hyperkeratosis, verrucal keratoses, and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are some of the more common cutaneous toxicities reported to date. These are typically managed symptomatically without need for dose reduction or discontinuation of the BRAF inhibitor. MEK inhibitors are now being used in combination with BRAF inhibitors to improve efficacy, prevent drug resistance, and lower the rate of cutaneous reactions. This chapter focuses on the cutaneous reactions associated with the RAF inhibitor sorafenib and the BRAF inhibitors vemurafenib and dabrafenib.

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Correspondence to Holly H. McCoppin MD .

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© 2015 Springer-Verlag London

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McCoppin, H.H. (2015). Cutaneous Reactions to BRAF Inhibitors. In: Hall, J., Hall, B. (eds) Cutaneous Drug Eruptions. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6729-7_32

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-6729-7_32

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-6728-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-6729-7

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