Year: 2014
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with historically limited treatment options. Approximately 50% of melanomas harbor BRAF(V600) mutations. This report describes a 32-year-old man with metastatic BRAF(V600)-mutant melanoma who presented with cardiac involvement. Recently developed treatment options for patients with BRAF-mutant melanoma include BRAF inhibitors (vemurafenib, dabrafenib), MEK inhibitors (trametinib), and immune-based therapeutics (interleukin-2 or ipilimumab), but the most effective strategy for first-line therapy is heavily debated. Opinions vary for treatment selection, but the general consensus recommends immune-based therapies initially for asymptomatic patients with low-volume disease, and BRAF inhibitors for those with highly symptomatic or rapidly progressing disease. In this case, melanoma with cardiac involvement, although clinically uncommon, presents challenging management decisions.
Authors: Douglas B. Johnson, Jeffrey A. Sosman
Institution: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Language: English
Topic: Melanoma and MAPK Pathways
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2330163139