Braftovi (encorafenib) + mektovi (binimetinib)

Braftovi is an oral small molecule BRAF kinase inhibitor and mektovi is an oral small molecule MEK inhibitor, which target key enzymes in the MAPK signaling pathway (RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK). Inappropriate activation of proteins in this pathway has been shown to occur in melanoma. In Canada, Braftovi plus mektovi are approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation, as detected by a validated test.

Side Effects

The most common side effects include: fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, skin rash and/ or thickening and joint pain. Rare but serious side effects can include heart damage, excess bleeding, loss of vision, lung problems, liver problems and risk of new skin cancers.

Always talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse about your side effects so they can help you manage them.

Provincial Funding Summary

For the most updated information visit CADTH  Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Health Canada has approved Braftovi (encorafenib) to be used in combination with Mektovi (binimetinib), for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation, as detected by a validated test.

 

Please note: This information is not meant to act as a treatment decision aid, but rather to provide general information about which metastatic melanoma or skin cancer treatments are covered by provincial health care plans in Canada. It is current to the date indicated and may not be currently accurate due to the changing landscape of coverage in Canada. If you have private insurance coverage, you may have access to therapies not covered by the provincial plans in your province.  All information obtained about specific treatments should be further discussed with your physician.