Abstract

Advances in targeted therapy for melanoma: a focus on MEK inhibition

Author(s): April KS Salama & Kevin B Kim

Increased knowledge of the role that dysregulated MAPK signaling plays in melanoma has opened the door for novel therapeutic strategies, among them MEK-targeted approaches. With the recent approval of the selective MEK inhibitor trametinib, both as a single agent and in combination with dabrafenib for patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma, MEK-based therapy now has a place as a standard of care option for the treatment of this disease. Early data suggest a benefit of MEK inhibition in other melanoma subtypes as well, including NRAS-mutant and uveal melanoma. This review summarizes the clinical development and the currently available data regarding the role of MEK inhibitor therapy in the treatment of advanced melanoma.