NICE has issued final guidance recommending dabrafenib for the treatment of melanoma which has spread or cannot be completely removed by surgery, and which tests positive for the BRAF V600 mutation.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer which can be caused by abnormal changes or mutations in a cell protein called BRAF V600. Dabrafenib, also known as Tafinlar and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline, is a biological therapy which works by causing cancer cells with the BRAF V600 mutation to die which can slow or stop the growth of the cancer.

Commenting on the guidance, Professor Carole Longson, centre for health technology evaluation director at NICE, said: “For a long time the treatments available for skin cancer which has spread have been very limited. However, in recent years a number of breakthrough treatments that potentially significantly improve the prognosis for some people with malignant melanoma have become available. NICE has already recommended vemurafenib and ipilimumab and we are pleased to add dabrafenib to the list of options available for this type of skin cancer.

“NICE was able to publish this final guidance quickly and speed up access – in less than 3 months since the committee first met to discuss the treatment”.

For more details, go to: https://www.nice.org.uk/news/press-and-media/nice-recommends-another-new-skin-cancer-drug