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Dabrafenib

Phase 2

Melanoma | Small molecule | Oncology |Merck & Company, Inc.|Last Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Success Probability

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Market & Valuation

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Trial Design

RandomizedCONTROLLEDDMCBiomarker
Total Trials1
Total Enrollment60

FDA Designations

No designations recorded

Clinical trial landscape

Dabrafenib · 1 trial · 1 indication

Phase 2 1
NCT02858921Neoadjuvant Dabrafenib, Trametinib and/or Pembrolizumab in BRAF Mutant Resectable Stage III MelanomaMelanoma
ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING60 Analytics
PHASE2ACTIVE NOT_RECRUITING
Neoadjuvant Dabrafenib, Trametinib and/or Pembrolizumab in BRAF Mutant Resectable Stage III Melanoma
MelanomaUnlock trial analytics

Study Endpoints

Primary Endpoints

Pathological Response Rate
From baseline to 6 weeks

Proportion of patients with a complete absence of residual melanoma cells in the planned resected tumour site(s) at week 6 surgery.

Secondary Endpoints

Objective Clinical (RECIST) Response Rate
From baseline to 6 weeks
12 Month Relapse Free Survival
12 months
24 Month Relapse Free Survival
24 months
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Study Design & Arms

AllocationRANDOMIZED
MaskingNONE
ModelPARALLEL
PurposeTREATMENT

Treatment Arms

ArmTypeDescription
Sequential D + T, THEN PembrolizumabEXPERIMENTALDabrafenib 150mg orally twice a day + Trametinib 2mg orally once a day for 1 week, then followed by treatment with Pembrolizumab 2mg/kg delivered intravenously at weeks 1, 3, and 6, then once every 3 weeks from week 6 for 46 weeks.
Concurrent D + T AND PembrolizumabEXPERIMENTALDabrafenib 150mg orally twice a day + Trametinib 2mg orally once a day + Pembrolizumab 200mg intravenously once every 3 weeks for 6 weeks, the Pembrolizumab alone for 46 weeks
Pembrolizumab ONLYEXPERIMENTALPembrolizumab 200mg intravenously once every 3 weeks alone for 52 weeks.

Interventions

NameTypeDescription
DabrafenibDRUGDabrafenib, a 4-(3-aminosulfonylphenyl)-5-(pyrimidine-3-yl) thiazole, is a potent and selective inhibitor of B-RAF kinase activity with a mode of action consistent with adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-competitive inhibition, and is approved as monotherapy in BRAF V600E-mutant advanced/metastatic melanoma.
TrametinibDRUGTrametinib, a pyrido - pyrimidine derivative, is a potent and highly selective allosteric non-competitive inhibitor of MEK1/MEK2 activation and kinase activity has been approved as monotherapy in BRAF (V600E)-mutant and BRAF (V600K)-mutant melanoma.
PembrolizumabDRUGPembrolizumab is a potent and highly selective humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) of the IgG4/kappa isotype designed to directly block the interaction between PD-1 and its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2.
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Eligibility Criteria

Age Range18 Years to N/A
SexALL
Healthy VolunteersNo
Study Sites3

Inclusion Criteria: * ≥18 years of age * Written informed consent. * Histologically confirmed, resectable American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC, 8th edition) stage IIIB, IIIC (Tx, T0, T1-4, N1b, N2b, N3b, M0) cutaneous melanoma or unknown primary melanoma with sufficient cutaneous and/or nodal d...

Countries:Australia
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Frequently asked questions about Dabrafenib

What is Dabrafenib used for in melanoma?

Dabrafenib is an investigational small molecule being studied for the treatment of melanoma. It is currently in Phase 2 clinical development for this indication. The drug is being evaluated in a clinical trial for patients with BRAF mutant resectable Stage III melanoma.

What does Dabrafenib target?

Dabrafenib targets the BRAF protein, specifically the BRAF V600 mutation. This is a key driver in melanoma, and the drug is designed to inhibit this mutated protein. The clinical trial for Dabrafenib requires patients to have a BRAF mutation, as it is a biomarker-selected study.

Who makes Dabrafenib?

Dabrafenib is being developed by Merck & Company, Inc., which is publicly traded under the ticker symbol MRK. The company is conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial for this drug in melanoma.

What phase is Dabrafenib in?

Dabrafenib is currently in Phase 2 clinical development. It is an investigational drug and has not yet been approved by regulatory authorities. The ongoing trial is active but not recruiting participants.

What clinical trials is Dabrafenib in?

Dabrafenib is being studied in a single Phase 2 clinical trial with the identifier NCT02858921. This trial is titled 'Neoadjuvant Dabrafenib, Trametinib and/or Pembrolizumab in BRAF Mutant Resectable Stage III Melanoma' and is being conducted in Australia with an enrollment of 60 patients.

Is Dabrafenib the same as other drugs in its class?

Dabrafenib is a distinct drug, but it is being studied in combination with other agents. The clinical trial NCT02858921 evaluates Dabrafenib alone or in combination with trametinib and/or pembrolizumab. These are separate drugs with different mechanisms of action.