Diplomat Pharmacy, an NYSE-listed pharmaceutical company, will dispense COTELLIC (cobimetinib) in combination with the BRAF inhibitor ZELBORAF (vemurafenib) to treat patients with advanced melanoma that is unresectable (cannot be removed by surgery) or metastatic (cancer that has spread from the primary site).
In the announcement released on Wednesday, the company explained that the combination of COTELLIC with ZELBORAF helps patients with previously untreated BRAF V600 mutation-positive advanced melanoma live a median of one year (12.3 months) without their disease worsening, compared to 7.2 months with ZELBORAF alone.
As Diplomat further explained, COTELLIC is designed to selectively block the activity of MEK, one of a series of enzymes that make up a signaling pathway that helps regulate cell division and survival.
The pharmaceutical company noted that melanoma is less common, but more aggressive and deadlier than other forms of skin cancer. The BRAF gene is mutated in approximately half of all melanomas. According to the National Cancer Institute, Diplomat further adds, an estimated 73,870 Americans will be diagnosed with melanoma this year and 9,940 will die from the disease.
“We are excited to dispense this combination treatment for patients suffering from advanced melanoma,” said Gary Kadlec, president of Diplomat.
“Patients in search of a new treatment option have an opportunity to explore one, with a therapy that combines the advantages of these two medications for a lasting impact.”
As noted in the company’s announcement, ZELBORAF was the first prescription treatment for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600 mutation as detected by a validated test. ZELBORAF is not indicated for use in patients with wild-type BRAF melanoma.
In conclusion, let’s remind that COTELLIC is manufactured by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.