Title:Current Insights into the Role of BRAF Inhibitors in Treatment of Melanoma
Volume: 23
Issue: 3
Author(s): Ankit Kumar Singh, Adarsh Kumar, Suresh Thareja and Pradeep Kumar*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab 151401, Bathinda, India
Keywords:
Melanoma, RAS, RAF, MAPK, BRAF, αC-helix, DFG motif.
Abstract: Melanomas represent only 4% of all skin cancers, but their mortality rate is more than 50 % of any other
skin cancer. Alteration in genetic and environmental factors are the risk factors for melanoma development. The
RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK or Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is activated in melanoma. BRAF activation
is necessary to govern differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Mutations in BRAF were found in 80–90% of all
melanomas. Over 90% of BRAF mutations occur at codon 600, and over 90% of them are BRAFV600E other common
mutations are BRAFV600K, BRAFV600R, BRAF V600′E2′, and BRAF V600D. Based on αC-helix and DFG motif
(αC-helix-IN/DFG-IN), (αC-helix-IN/DFG-OUT), (αC-helix-OUT/DFG-IN) and (αC-helix-OUT/ DFG-OUT) are four
structural types of inhibitors for targeting BRAF. Sorafenib, Vemurafenib, Dabrafenib, and Encorafenib are FDAapproved
for the treatment of BRAF. Understanding melanoma pathogenesis, RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK or MAPK pathway,
and BRAF conformations, mutations, the problems with FDA approved BRAF inhibitors will be important for
new drug discovery, modification of existing BRAF barriers to improve target specific action, and prevent increasing
response levels while minimizing toxicity.