GlaxoSmithKline starts Phase III study to test combined BRAF/MEK inhibition in patients with BRAF positive melanoma following surgery


GlaxoSmithKline starts Phase III study to test combined BRAF/MEK inhibition in patients with BRAF positive melanoma following surgery

Issued: Friday 1st February 2013, London UK

GlaxoSmithKline plc. today announced the start of COMBI-AD, a  Phase III study evaluating the combination of dabrafenib, its BRAF inhibitor and trametinib, its MEK inhibitor as adjuvant therapy for melanoma.  This global study will investigate whether combining the two investigational agents can delay or prevent the recurrence of melanoma (Relapse Free Survival) in patients with Stage IIIa, IIIb, or IIIc BRAF V600E or V600K mutation-positive melanoma that has been completely removed by surgery.  The study will also evaluate the safety profile of the dabrafenib-trametinib combination in this treatment setting.

"The patients included in this trial are at high risk of their melanoma returning after surgery and there are currently few treatment options to reduce this risk" said Dr. Rafael Amado, Head of Oncology R&D for GlaxoSmithKline. "Given the efficacy and safety findings observed with combined dabrafenib-trametinib treatment in the metastatic setting, we are investigating whether the combination administered after surgery can help these patients live longer without melanoma recurrence."

Two Phase III studies of combined dabrafenib-trametinib are ongoing in the metastatic BRAF V600 melanoma setting. (NCT01584648 and NCT01597908)

COMBI-AD: Study 115532 (NCT01682083) is a Phase III, randomised, double-blinded study comparing the combination of the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib and the MEK inhibitor, trametinib versus two placebos in the adjuvant treatment of melanoma after surgical resection. Patients with completely resected, histologically confirmed, BRAF V600E/K mutation-positive, high-risk [Stage IIIa (sentinel lymph node metastasis >1 mm), IIIb or IIIc] cutaneous melanoma will be screened for eligibility. Subjects will be randomised to receive either dabrafenib (150mg, twice daily) and trametinib (2mg, once daily) combination therapy or two placebos for 12 months.  The primary endpoint of the study is relapse-free survival.  The study seeks to enrol about 850 subjects from more than 200 investigative sites across the world.

About dabrafenib
Dabrafenib is an investigational, orally bioavailable inhibitor of the BRAF protein.  Dabrafenib was discovered and developed at GSK.  EU and US regulatory submissions for dabrafenib as a monotherapy treatment for BRAF V600 mutation-positive metastatic melanoma (150 mg once daily) were announced in August 2012.  Global submissions are ongoing.

About trametinib
Trametinib is an investigational, orally bioavailable inhibitor of the MEK protein discovered by Japan Tobacco, Inc and in-licensed by GSK in 2006. Submission of a New Drug Application in the US for trametinib as a monotherapy treatment for BRAF V600 mutation-positive metastatic melanoma (2 mg once daily) was announced in August 2012. Submissions in the EU and other regions will follow in the coming months.

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.  For further information please visit www.gsk.com

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Under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Factors that may affect GSK' s operations are described under 'Risk factors' in the 'Financial review & risk' section in the company's Annual Report 2011 included as exhibit 15.2 to the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2011.