PLX4032 Takes Aim at BRAF-Mutated Metastatic Melanoma

During the 8 years between the mutation’s discovery and Dr. Flaherty’s trial, drug companies have not been idle. “There is now a pipeline of drugs against BRAF. PLX4032 might not be the best or the least toxic, but it’s the first of a host coming down the pike. This is very significant, because now we have a brand-new way of looking at a previously untreatable cancer.”

Roche Pharmaceuticals and Plexxikon sponsored the PLX4032 studies. Dr. Tsao said he had no financial declarations with regard to the drug. Dr. Flaherty has served as a consultant to Roche regarding further development of PLX4032 in melanoma.