The consulting company Decision Resources Group, which analyzes critical issues within the healthcare industry, recently concluded that more than half of the surveyed U.S. oncologists prescribe GlaxoSmithKline‘s BRAF inhibitor Tafinlar for BRAF-mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma, after one year of the launch of the Group in the United States. In addition, only six months after being approved by the FDA, Tafinlar, as a treatment in combination with Mekinist, is already regarded as the most effective and trusted melanoma therapy by 41 percent of oncology physicians.
During the survey, which was conducted throughout the course of a year at U.S. medical facilities, the Decision Resources Group concluded that when treating BRAF-mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma, 54 percent of the surveyed physicians opted for GSK’s BRAF inhibitor Tafinlar, while 49 percent prescribed GSK’s MEK inhibitor Mekinist. Moreover, among the oncologists who didn’t prescribe either of the two drugs, 42 percent and 43 percent of them, respectively, plan to prescribe one of them over the next three months.
The study, “LaunchTrends®: Tafinlar/Mekinist (Malignant Melanoma),” which was recently released online, also highlighted the fact that only six months after its accelerated FDA approval, the combination of Tafinlar and Mekinist is already being prescribed by 41 percent of oncologists, outside of clinical trials.
“The majority of surveyed medical oncologists who have prescribed Tafinlar, Mekinist, and Tafinlar/Mekinist combination therapy indicate high satisfaction with these therapies, with the mean satisfaction level being the highest for Tafinlar/Mekinist combination therapy,” stated Decision Resources Group analyst Jennifer Bamford. “Interviewed physicians expressed considerable enthusiasm about Tafinlar and Mekinist being indicated for use in combination, and many felt that the combination therapy has greater clinical potential then either agent alone.”
The analysis also concluded that Tafinlar and Mekinist as monotherapies are more effective than other currently available therapies in the treatment of unresectable and metastatic malignant melanoma. However, the oncologists reported the drugs’ safety and tolerability profiles and cost as disadvantages. Most of the physicians choose to prescribe Tafinlar and Mekinist in combination with other drugs.
