![[logo] HealthTree Foundation](https://static.healthtree.org/icons/icon_spinner.svg){kind=icon}
![[logo] HealthTree Foundation](https://static.healthtree.org/logo_icon_only.svg){kind=icon}
How it is administered
Dabrafenib is taken by mouth, usually as capsules or tablets for oral suspension. It should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. The dose and form depend on age, weight, and indication. For adults, the typical dose is 150 mg (two 75 mg capsules) twice daily. Pediatric dosing is weight-based.
Do not open, crush, or break the capsules. For pediatric patients who cannot swallow capsules, tablets for oral suspension are dissolved in water and administered immediately after preparation.
How it works
Dabrafenib is a kinase inhibitor that specifically targets certain mutated forms of the BRAF protein, such as BRAF V600E, V600K, and V600D. These mutations can cause the BRAF protein to be constantly active, which leads to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer development. Dabrafenib blocks the activity of these mutated BRAF proteins, thereby slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
In blood cancers and other solid tumors, the BRAF pathway is part of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling cascade, which regulates cell division and survival. By inhibiting mutated BRAF, dabrafenib helps to interrupt this signaling, reducing tumor cell proliferation. When used in combination with trametinib, which targets a different kinase in the same pathway, the effect is enhanced, leading to greater tumor growth inhibition.
Common side effects
- Fever (pyrexia)
- Rash
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Joint pain (arthralgia)
- Muscle pain (myalgia)
- Skin changes (hyperkeratosis, dry skin)
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Cough
- Hemorrhage (bleeding)
- Increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
- Decreased blood counts (anemia, neutropenia)
Serious side effects can include new cancers, heart problems, eye inflammation (uveitis), severe skin reactions, and severe fever.
Who Should take it
Dabrafenib is indicated for patients with unresectable or metastatic solid tumors that have a BRAF V600E mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test, who have progressed following prior treatment and have no satisfactory alternative treatment options. It is also used in combination with trametinib for certain cancers, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, anaplastic thyroid cancer, and pediatric low-grade glioma, all with BRAF V600E mutations.
For blood cancers, dabrafenib may be considered if the cancer harbors a BRAF V600E mutation and there are no better treatment alternatives. The use in blood cancers is less common than in solid tumors, but may be considered in clinical trials or specific cases.
Who should not take it
Dabrafenib should not be used in patients whose tumors do not have a BRAF V600 mutation (wild-type BRAF), as it can actually promote tumor growth in these cases. It is also not indicated for colorectal cancer due to known resistance.
Caution is advised in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency due to the risk of hemolytic anemia. Pregnant women should avoid dabrafenib, as it can cause harm to the fetus. Patients with severe liver impairment or those who cannot tolerate the medication due to side effects should not take dabrafenib.
Commonly used with
Dabrafenib is most commonly used in combination with trametinib, another targeted therapy that inhibits MEK, a kinase in the same pathway as BRAF. This combination is standard for BRAF V600E mutation-positive cancers, as it improves outcomes compared to dabrafenib alone.
It may also be used alongside other supportive medications to manage side effects, such as antipyretics for fever or medications for nausea.
Commonly tested with
Dabrafenib is frequently tested in combination with trametinib in clinical trials for various cancers with BRAF V600E mutations. Trials may also evaluate dabrafenib with other targeted therapies, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the cancer type and mutation profile.
For blood cancers, clinical trials may explore dabrafenib in combination with other agents targeting the MAPK pathway or as part of a broader precision medicine approach.
HealthTree Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Copyright © 2025 HealthTree Foundation. All rights reserved.
Tax ID 45-5354811