Loss of skeletal muscle area and fat-free mass during dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib treatments in patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic malignant melanoma

Melanoma Res. 2020 Oct;30(5):477-483. doi: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000678.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess whether dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib treatments are associated with a change in skeletal muscle area (SMA) and total fat-free mass (FFM) assessed by computed tomography (CT), and to compare the efficacy and safety profile of these treatments in patients with metastatic melanoma. Thirty-one patients treated with B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase/MAPK extracellular receptor kinase inhibitors were included between 2016 and 2019. Eighteen patients received dabrafenib/trametinib and remaining patients received vemurafenib/cobimetinib. CT scans were performed at baseline and at 4-6 months of follow-up to measure cross-sectional areas of SMA. FFM and skeletal muscle index (SMI) values were calculated. Of the patients, including 18 treated with dabrafenib/trametinib (58.1%) and 13 with vemurafenib/cobimetinib (41.9%); 58.1% were male, 41.9% were female and median age was 52 years. A significant decrease in SMA was observed after dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib treatments (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively). A significant decrease in FFM values was observed after dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib treatments (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively). Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was observed in 35.9% of the patients with sarcopenia. No significant difference was seen between the dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib groups in median progression-free survival (PFS) (11.9 vs. 7.3 months, respectively, P = 0.28) and in median overall survival (OS) (25.46 vs. 13.7 months, respectively, P = 0.41). Baseline sarcopenia was not significantly associated with PFS or OS (P = 0.172 and P = 0.326, respectively). We found a significant decrease in SMI values determined at 4-6 months compared to the values before treatment both in dabrafenib/trametinib and vemurafenib/cobimetinib groups. DLT was similar with both treatments. Baseline sarcopenia was not significantly associated with PFS or OS.

MeSH terms

  • Azetidines / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Oximes / adverse effects*
  • Piperidines / adverse effects*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / metabolism*
  • Pyridones / adverse effects*
  • Pyrimidinones / adverse effects*
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Vemurafenib / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Azetidines
  • Imidazoles
  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Oximes
  • Piperidines
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Pyridones
  • Pyrimidinones
  • Vemurafenib
  • trametinib
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • cobimetinib
  • dabrafenib