Chariss Jhean R.

Absin

BSN- 3

Skin Cancer Medication Significantly Improves Survival without Worsening Illness

Late-stage trial data showed that Roche's skin cancer drug, RG7204, helps patients with
BRAF V600 mutation-positive metastatic melanoma survive for longer without their cancer
progressing. The company said the Phase III clinical study met its co-primary endpoint, showing
"a significant survival benefit in people with previously untreated BRAF V600 mutation-positive
metastatic melanoma."

Participants were given either RG7204 960 mg orally twice daily or Dacarbazine (the
current standard of care) 1000 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks. Those on RG7204 not only
had better overall survival (lived longer), but progression-free survival was also superior.
Progression-free survival means living longer without the illness getting worse.

Participants received these therapies until either their disease progressed or toxicity levels
became unacceptable. They were treated in over 100 sites around the world, including the USA,
Spain, UK, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, France and Germany.

Roche believes RG7204 will become a first-in-class medication which was created to
selectively inhibit the BRAF protein. This protein exists in approximately half of all metastatic
melanoma cases, the most aggressive and fatal type of skin cancer. The company added that its
safety profile was consistent with other studies of the same medication.

Hal Barron M.D., Chief Medical Officer and Head, Global Product Development, Roche,
said:

"For the first time, a personalized investigational medicine, RG7204, has shown a
significant survival benefit in metastatic melanoma. This is an important advance for people
with the BRAF V600 mutation-positive form of the disease who have had extremely limited
treatment options."
 Patients on the current standard therapy - Dacarbazine - will be given the choice to switch
over to RG7204.

In a communiqué, Roche informed:

"Roche is now working closely with global health authorities to expand the recently
announced RG7204 Early Access Program (EAP). The global EAP will be extended to include
people with previously untreated, BRAF V600 mutation-positive metastatic melanoma (first
line)."

RG7204 is being developed alongside the cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test, an
investigational diagnostic test, to pick out individuals whose cancers carry the BRAF V600 gene.

Patients with metastatic melanoma usually have a life expectancy which is measured in
months, wrote Roche. It is the deadliest and most aggressive form of skin cancer. The majority
of individuals do not survive more than a year after diagnosis. Metastatic melanoma is thought to
cause 40,000 deaths annually worldwide. Experts believe the number of people with this type of
cancer will double over the next ten years in developed nations to 227,000 new cases, from the
current 138,000.

Summary:

Roche's skin cancer drug, RG7204, helps patients with BRAF V600 mutation-positive
metastatic melanoma survive for longer without their cancer progressing. There were over 100
sites around the world, including the USA, Spain, UK, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, France and
Germany who were said to be the participants that were given either RG7204 960 mg orally
twice daily, or Dacarbazine (the current standard of care) 1000 mg/m2 intravenously every 3
weeks. He believes that RG7204 will become a first-in-class medication which was created to
selectively inhibit the BRAF protein. Thus, this could help patients on the current standard
therapy - Dacarbazine - would be given the choice to switch over to RG7204.
Reaction:

According to Roche, patients with metastatic melanoma usually have a life- expectancy
which measured in months. RG7204, a skin cancer drug, is being developed to help the patients
especially with BRAF V600 mutation- positive metastatic melanoma survive for longer period
without their cancer progressing. Moreover, patients with the said condition can choose either
taking the current standard of care, Dacarbazine 1000mg/m 2 intravenously every 3 weeks or to
switch on to RG7204 at 960mg orally twice a day. On the other hand, RG7204 is a good
contribution on the Health Care sector for it adds on the ways in improving health of the
previously untreated individuals whose cancers carry the BRAF V600 gene. Thus, it also gives
the scientists a challenge to enhance and widen the knowledge and exploration of new
discoveries on new technologies that will significantly aids in the improvement of an
individual’s quality of life. Hence, affordability, availability and accessibility of RG7204 is
somehow to be considered because not all cancer patients have all the access to have it knowing
the present economic status of our country. Its side effects and adverse reactions are also other
factors that should be put into consideration. Nevertheless, the said study is good for indeed it
answers the pleading treatment in resolving cancer patients with BRAF V600 mutation positive
metastatic melanoma.