As a fast-growing, aggressive cancer, melanoma can spread quickly and become life-threatening. Targeted therapy is cancer medication that homes in on specific melanoma cells. These therapies are important in preventing or slowing the spread of advanced melanoma.
Melanoma specialists at the Abramson Cancer Center use the latest targeted therapies based on advanced research in melanoma genetics. We tailor treatment plans for your unique needs, using targeted therapy in combination with other therapies for the most effective care.
What Is Targeted Therapy?
Targeted therapies are medications that identify and attack specific substances on cancer cells. The targeted substances include certain proteins and gene mutations (changes) that control cell growth and death.
Targeted therapy works differently than traditional chemotherapy:
- Targeted therapies treat cancer cells more specifically. Chemotherapy medications act more broadly on any fast-growing cells — healthy or cancerous.
- Targeted therapies can stop cancer cells from dividing, which helps stop the growth and spread of cancer. Chemotherapy only destroys existing cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy for Melanoma: The Penn Medicine Advantage
The Tara Miller Melanoma Center is part of the Abramson Cancer Center, providing comprehensive care for people with all types of melanoma. Our doctors have advanced training and experience in medical oncology (treating cancer with medications) using the latest treatments.
At Penn Medicine, we can treat people with advanced melanomas that may have previously had no treatment options. Our thorough evaluation includes tumor mutation testing, when appropriate, to decide whether targeted therapy is right for you. Meet your melanoma and skin cancer team.
Targeted Therapy for Melanoma Skin Cancer
Ongoing research is exploring gene mutations specific to melanoma, which helps drive development of effective new targeted therapies. At Penn Medicine, we offer sophisticated genetic and molecular testing on tumor tissue from people who have advanced melanoma skin cancer. If these tests show that a tumor has certain mutations or proteins, targeted therapy may be an option for you.
Advanced means melanoma has spread outside the original site, either to nearby tissues (stage 3) or distant areas (stage 4). In most cases, we use targeted therapies after surgery to help prevent cancer from recurring (coming back). In clinical trials, our specialists also offer targeted therapy for some people with earlier-stage melanoma.
Targeted therapies we use for melanoma skin cancer
At the Tara Miller Melanoma Center, you have access to the latest targeted therapies, both in and outside clinical trials. We may combine some of these therapies or add other types of cancer treatment:
- BRAF inhibitors: Mutations in the BRAF gene cause melanoma cells to produce proteins that help cancer cells grow. About half of melanoma skin cancers have a BRAF mutation. BRAF inhibitors include vemurafenib (Zelboraf®), dabrafenib (Tafinlar®) and encorafenib (Braftovi®).
- MEK inhibitors: The MEK protein works with the BRAF gene. That means medications that target the MEK protein can treat melanomas with BRAF mutations. MEK inhibitors include trametinib (Mekinist®), cobimetinib (Cotellic®) and binimetinib (Mektovi®).
- KIT inhibitors: Some rare melanomas, such as those that occur on the palms, soles or under nail beds, have specific KIT gene mutations. MEK inhibitors include imatinib (Gleevec®), dasatinib (Sprycel®) and nilotinib (Tasigna®).
Targeted Therapy for Mucosal Melanoma
Mucosal melanoma tends to have fewer BRAF or KIT mutations than melanoma skin cancer. Still, we may use targeted therapies for people with advanced cancer. Ongoing research is exploring targeted therapies for other gene mutations and targets in mucosal melanoma.
Targeted Therapy for Eye (Ocular) Melanoma
As with mucosal melanoma, the gene mutations and targets that occur with melanoma skin cancer don’t often appear in ocular melanoma. Researchers are studying targeted therapies for other gene mutations specific to ocular melanoma. We may use BRAF inhibitors to treat people who have ocular melanoma with that mutation.
Supplementing Targeted Therapy with Other Treatments for Melanoma
If targeted therapy is right for you, we may combine it with other melanoma treatments. Our melanoma team includes skilled surgeons, radiation therapists and other specialists with experience in all types of treatments for melanoma. Learn more about:
When you come to us for melanoma care, we help you understand the condition, your treatment options and other details. Find these common questions to ask your doctor about melanoma. We also offer patient and family support services, such as support groups and workshops, at the Abramson Cancer Center.
Leading Research and Clinical Trials
Your care team includes specialists engaged in ongoing research to develop new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat melanoma. If eligible, you may receive promising new treatments in clinical trials — many of which are available only at Penn. Learn more about our research at the Tara Miller Melanoma Center.
Request an Appointment for Targeted Therapy Options
Call 800-789-7366 to schedule an appointment with one of our melanoma experts. You can also request an appointment using our online form.