A novel drug against cancers with a transmuted BRAF gene has reportedly shown promise in a preliminary patient trial exhibited at the 32^nd EORTC-NCI-AACR (virtual) Symposium on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics. Results of the first and second phase of the trial were reportedly demonstrated by Dr Filip Janku, Center Medical Director, Clinical and Translational Research Center, University of Texas.

Dr Janku stated that the existing BRAF inhibitors do not go for all patients having BRAF mutated cancers, given that in some cases, the cancer develops resistance even though these drugs appear to work in the beginning. The first generation BRAF inhibitors can also lead to skin cancers and unpleasant skin lesions in some patients and, therefore, the next generation BRAF inhibitor given to patients over this trial was designed for avoiding such issues.

Outcomes of the study indicate that the combination of drugs tested is comparatively safe and might be effective in case of some patients, stated Dr Janku.

While the BRAF gene plays a prominent role in directing the growth and formation of new cells, it is also cited to mutate or go wrong in multiple types of cancer, comprising skin, bowel, and brain cancer categories. The new drug, PLX8394, has been reportedly designed for avoiding cancer resistance and working against cancers having a broad range of BRAF mutations.

According to the Professor of Medicine, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, William Sellers, acknowledging which genes go adrift in cancer and the way they are mutated is a vital step towards the development of treatments that are targeted to give an effective performance in individual patients. Sellers has also stated that BRAF is mutated in smaller fragments of colorectal and lung cancer and covers almost half of melanoma patients, which makes it a significant therapeutic target while emphasizing on the clinical benefit of BRAF inhibitors in such patients.

Source Credit: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-10/eofr-ngb102320.php