The use of vemurafenib in Australian patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma containing the V600 BRAF gene mutation.

Metastatic melanoma remains one of the major causes of death related to skin cancers and has been resistant to traditional anticancer therapies. The clinical development of vemurafenib in the treatment of metastatic melanoma with the V600 mutation of the BRAF gene has provided meaningful improvements in the overall survival and progression-free survival of metastatic melanoma patients. However, significant side effects have been noted with this therapy, in particular cutaneous adverse events (AEs) such as rashes, squamous cell carcinoma and severe photosensitivity to UVA light among others. With an emphasis on the Australian perspective, this review provides an overview of the clinical development of vemurafenib, its attendant dose-limiting toxicities and other AEs, recommendations for safety monitoring, supportive treatments of AEs and dose modifications, with the aim of maximizing the chances of continuing beneficial treatment.