Novartis cleared for combining Tafinlar with Mekinist in Europe to treat certain cancer

Novartis has been cleared in Europe for Tafinlar combined with Mekinist (dabrafenib with trametinib) to treat patients with BRAF V600-with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Worldwide, lung cancer causes more deaths than colon, breast, and prostate cancer combined, and an estimated 1.8 million new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year. Among patients with NSCLC, roughly 30% have an actionable mutation that may be targeted with available therapies. To determine that treatment, medical organizations recommend biomarker testing for patients with lung cancer.

Important milestone for the lung cancer community

This is the first targeted treatment approved for the patient population, who previously had few treatment options, in European Union (EU), Iceland and Norway. Every year, it is estimated, up to about 36,000 people, or about 1-3% of patients with lung cancer, are diagnosed with BRAF V600-positive NSCLC worldwide.

“Today’s approval represents an important milestone for the lung cancer community, especially those patients living with the BRAF V600 mutation who previously had few options,” said Bruno Strigini, CEO, Novartis Oncology.