GSK commences two Phase III studies in metastatic melanoma

The BRF113683 Phase III study compares GSK’436, a BRAF inhibitor, to dacarbazine (DTIC) in previously untreated patients with BRAF V600 mutated advanced or metastatic melanoma.

The METRIC study compares GSK’212, a MEK inhibitor, to chemotherapy (DTIC or paclitaxel) in advanced or metastatic melanoma patients with a BRAF V600 mutation.

GSK Oncology president Paolo Paoletti said by focusing their research programme on patients with the V600 mutation, they are striving to understand how their investigational MEK and BRAF inhibitors can best be used to treat patients with metastatic melanoma.

"In addition to our ongoing research in metastatic melanoma, we are also studying GSK’212 and GSK’436, both alone and in combination with other agents, in other difficult to treat forms of cancers including pancreatic cancer, refractory or relapsed leukaemias and other solid tumours," Paoletti said.