Dr. Omid Hamid on Vemurafenib and Atezolizumab in Melanoma

Omid Hamid, MD, Chief, Translational Research and Immunotherapy, Director, Melanoma Therapeutics, The Angeles Clinic, discusses a recent trial investigating the combination of vemurafenib and atezolizumab in melanoma in patients with previously untreated BRAF-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma.

The targeted therapy vemurafenib has a great initial response rate and palliative benefit, but does not have long-term durability. Atezolizumab, an immunotherapy, has a low initial response rate, but has the ability to have a high long-term durability, says Hamid.

With the combination, the toxicities of elevated liver enzymes and rash were initially seen, however the regimen became more tolerable after it was adjusted, says Hamid.

Durable responses have been seen with the combination, with a median duration of response of 10.9 months, he adds.

After the combination of vemurafenib and cobimetinib was approved by the FDA, the trial was changed to include the triple combination of vemurafenib, cobimetinib and atezolizumab.