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TAFINLAR or Zelboraf
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TAFINLAR or Zelboraf

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › TAFINLAR or Zelboraf

  • Post
    • November 12, 2013 at 10:09 am
    Golda_
    Participant
      can anyone explain why just not prescribe TAFINLAR?
      TAFINLAR prescribed after Zelboraf?
      How do you know when Zelboraf stops working ?
       
      Please do not send me for an answer to the treating doctor.
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    • Replies
        • November 13, 2013 at 5:29 am
        JerryfromFauq
        Participant

          If the Zelboraf was working the tummors should haveat aminimum stopped growig.  In most cases they do shrink and no neew tumors appear.  If new tumors appear after shrinkage then the Zelboraf has stopped working.

          • November 13, 2013 at 5:29 am
          JerryfromFauq
          Participant

            If the Zelboraf was working the tummors should haveat aminimum stopped growig.  In most cases they do shrink and no neew tumors appear.  If new tumors appear after shrinkage then the Zelboraf has stopped working.

              • November 13, 2013 at 8:30 am
              Golda_
              Participant

                If I right understand, first taken Zelboraf, take it until it works. When it ceases to act – go to the new treatment: Tafinlar + Mekinist?

                 

                Thank you very much for your answer !

                • November 13, 2013 at 8:30 am
                Golda_
                Participant

                  If I right understand, first taken Zelboraf, take it until it works. When it ceases to act – go to the new treatment: Tafinlar + Mekinist?

                   

                  Thank you very much for your answer !

                  • November 13, 2013 at 9:08 pm
                  POW
                  Participant

                    Zelboraf (from Genentech) and Tafinlar (from GSK) both inhibit the BRAF protein containing a V600 mutation. They are very similar drugs with nearly identical properties but they are made by different manufacturers. Mekinist (also from GSK) inhibits a different protein (MEK). Zelboraf was FDA approved first– about 2 years ago– while Tafinlar and Mekinist were FDA approved in July. 

                    Since they were developed by different, competing manufacturers, Genentech only did clinical trials on Zelboraf while GSK did clinical trials combining both Tafinlar and Mekinist. There have been no clinical trials of Zelboraf + Mekinist. Tafinlar + Mekinist has been shown to work in more people with fewer side effects than either Zelboraf or Tafinlar alone, especially if the patient did not receive any prior BRAF inhibitor treatment. 

                    If it was me and I had a choice, I would go for the Taflinar + Mekinist combo. However, as with Zelboraf, melanoma tends to become resistant to Tafinlar after 6-9 months so it's a good idea to have a "Plan B" in mind. That usually means an immune-based treatment like Yervoy or anti-PD1 (which is still in clinical trials). 

                    • November 13, 2013 at 9:08 pm
                    POW
                    Participant

                      Zelboraf (from Genentech) and Tafinlar (from GSK) both inhibit the BRAF protein containing a V600 mutation. They are very similar drugs with nearly identical properties but they are made by different manufacturers. Mekinist (also from GSK) inhibits a different protein (MEK). Zelboraf was FDA approved first– about 2 years ago– while Tafinlar and Mekinist were FDA approved in July. 

                      Since they were developed by different, competing manufacturers, Genentech only did clinical trials on Zelboraf while GSK did clinical trials combining both Tafinlar and Mekinist. There have been no clinical trials of Zelboraf + Mekinist. Tafinlar + Mekinist has been shown to work in more people with fewer side effects than either Zelboraf or Tafinlar alone, especially if the patient did not receive any prior BRAF inhibitor treatment. 

                      If it was me and I had a choice, I would go for the Taflinar + Mekinist combo. However, as with Zelboraf, melanoma tends to become resistant to Tafinlar after 6-9 months so it's a good idea to have a "Plan B" in mind. That usually means an immune-based treatment like Yervoy or anti-PD1 (which is still in clinical trials). 

                      • November 13, 2013 at 9:08 pm
                      POW
                      Participant

                        Zelboraf (from Genentech) and Tafinlar (from GSK) both inhibit the BRAF protein containing a V600 mutation. They are very similar drugs with nearly identical properties but they are made by different manufacturers. Mekinist (also from GSK) inhibits a different protein (MEK). Zelboraf was FDA approved first– about 2 years ago– while Tafinlar and Mekinist were FDA approved in July. 

                        Since they were developed by different, competing manufacturers, Genentech only did clinical trials on Zelboraf while GSK did clinical trials combining both Tafinlar and Mekinist. There have been no clinical trials of Zelboraf + Mekinist. Tafinlar + Mekinist has been shown to work in more people with fewer side effects than either Zelboraf or Tafinlar alone, especially if the patient did not receive any prior BRAF inhibitor treatment. 

                        If it was me and I had a choice, I would go for the Taflinar + Mekinist combo. However, as with Zelboraf, melanoma tends to become resistant to Tafinlar after 6-9 months so it's a good idea to have a "Plan B" in mind. That usually means an immune-based treatment like Yervoy or anti-PD1 (which is still in clinical trials). 

                        • November 13, 2013 at 8:30 am
                        Golda_
                        Participant

                          If I right understand, first taken Zelboraf, take it until it works. When it ceases to act – go to the new treatment: Tafinlar + Mekinist?

                           

                          Thank you very much for your answer !

                        • November 13, 2013 at 5:29 am
                        JerryfromFauq
                        Participant

                          If the Zelboraf was working the tummors should haveat aminimum stopped growig.  In most cases they do shrink and no neew tumors appear.  If new tumors appear after shrinkage then the Zelboraf has stopped working.

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