BRAF–MEK Inhibitor Combo OK’d in Europe for NSCLC

Pfizer’s encorafenib (Braftovi)–binimetinib (Mektovi) combination received approval from the European Commission for the treatment of adults with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a BRAF^V600E mutation. The approval of the BRAF–MEK duo was based on results of the phase II PHAROS trial, which assessed its efficacy and safety in both newly diagnosed and previously treated patients with metastatic NSCLC. Among 59 just-diagnosed patients, the overall response rate was 75%—and 15% of the responses were complete responses. Among 39 patients who had already tried other therapies, the ORR was 46%; 10% of patients had a complete response. The combination was approved by the FDA in October 2023.