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Vemurafenib (VEM)
Vemurafenib (VEM) is a BRAF inhibitor Small molecule drug developed by Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine. It is currently FDA-approved for Metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation, Unresectable melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation.
Vemurafenib is a small-molecule inhibitor that selectively blocks the BRAF V600E kinase mutation found in melanoma and other cancers.
Vemurafenib (VEM) is a small molecule inhibitor of the serine/threonine-protein kinase B-raf. It is used to treat conditions such as melanoma, malignant melanoma, and metastatic melanoma.
At a glance
| Generic name | Vemurafenib (VEM) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine |
| Drug class | BRAF inhibitor |
| Target | BRAF V600E |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Vemurafenib binds to and inhibits the constitutively active BRAF V600E mutant protein, which drives uncontrolled cell proliferation in melanoma and other malignancies. By blocking this oncogenic kinase, the drug suppresses downstream signaling through the MAPK pathway, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in BRAF-mutant tumors. This targeted approach is effective primarily in patients whose tumors harbor the BRAF V600E mutation.
Approved indications
- Metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation
- Unresectable melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation
Common side effects
- Arthralgia
- Rash
- Photosensitivity
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Alopecia
- Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Key clinical trials
- Treatment Patterns and Outcomes of Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy Among BRAF-Positive Melanoma Patients Treated in the Adjuvant Setting and Among BRAF-Positive Metastatic Melanoma Patients With Low Tumor Burden
- A Phase 1b Study of Atezolizumab in Combination With Vemurafenib or Vemurafenib Plus Cobimetinib in Participants With BRAFV600-Mutation Positive Metastatic Melanoma (PHASE1)
- A Phase I Trial of Vemurafenib and Hydroxychloroquine in Patients With Advanced BRAF Mutant Melanoma (PHASE1)
- Phase II Safety Study of Vemurafenib Followed by Ipilimumab in Subjects With V600 BRAF Mutated Advanced Melanoma (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Vemurafenib (VEM) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Vemurafenib (VEM) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine portfolio CI
Frequently asked questions about Vemurafenib (VEM)
What is Vemurafenib (VEM)?
How does Vemurafenib (VEM) work?
What is Vemurafenib (VEM) used for?
Who makes Vemurafenib (VEM)?
What drug class is Vemurafenib (VEM) in?
What development phase is Vemurafenib (VEM) in?
What are the side effects of Vemurafenib (VEM)?
What does Vemurafenib (VEM) target?
Related
- Drug class: All BRAF inhibitor drugs
- Target: All drugs targeting BRAF V600E
- Manufacturer: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine — full pipeline
- Therapeutic area: All drugs in Oncology
- Indication: Drugs for Metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation
- Indication: Drugs for Unresectable melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation
Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing