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Cobimetinib/Vemurafenib Receives FDA Approval in Advanced Melanoma
The approval comes after a priority review of the combination that blocks activity of 2 MAPK proteins: BRAF and MEK.
Advanced metastatic, unresectable melanoma in patients whose tumor harbors mutated BRAF (V600E or V600K), have a new option: the combination of vemurafenib and cobimetinib was today, approved by the FDA for this patient population.
"As we continue to advance our knowledge of tumor biology, we have learned that cancer cells have a remarkable ability to adapt and become resistant to targeted therapies. Combining two or more treatments addressing different cancer-causing targets may help to address this challenge," said Richard Pazdur, MD, director of the Office of Hematology and Oncology Products in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Today’s approval provides a new targeted treatment that, when added to vemurafenib, demonstrates greater benefit than vemurafenib alone in patients with BRAF mutation-positive melanoma."
Read more here.
Overdiagnosis of Adult ADHD Is Exacerbating the Stimulant Shortage
March 11th 2025The authors argue that the stimulant shortage is being perpetuated by the overdiagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults because executive functioning deficits are not included in diagnostic criteria.
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Reviving the Classics: The Role of Older Medications in Modern Dermatology
March 9th 2025Older, generic medications, including ones for cyclosporine, nicotinamide, and dapsone, can effectively treat patients with various dermatological conditions while helping to reduce insurance and cost barriers.
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