Zelboraf: New skin cancer Drug approved by FDA

FDA approved a new drug named Zelboraf (vemurafenib) for the treatment of the deadliest form of skin cancer on 17th August. This new drug, Zelboraf helps the patients suffering from melanoma to live longer. The 1st melanoma drug approved this year is Yervoy (ipilimumab). Zelboraf targets a mutant gene and treat melanoma. This mutant gene is found in 50% melanoma patients. FDA approved this drug only for tumors that have genetic mutation called BRAF V600E. Zelboraf was granted with a test, which can find out that the cancer of the patient has mutation or not.

Zelboraf is approved on the basis of the study which involved 675 patients. These patients were given Zelboraf or a chemotherapy drug during the study. The study found that 77% patients who received Zelboraf are alive than the 64% patients who received chemotherapy drug. This drug is marketed by Genentech. Zelboraf’s 6 month course will cost around $56,400. There are also some side effects of the drug like joint pain, skin rashes, diarrhea, fatigue, and hair loss.