The introduction of small molecule BRAF(V600) kinase inhibitors represents a milestone in the targeted therapy of patients with metastatic melanoma by a significant increase in therapeutic efficacy in terms of overall and progression-free survival compared with conventional chemotherapy. Beside BRAF(V600) inhibitor treatment, radiotherapy is a further mainstay for the therapy of metastatic melanoma and thus a concomitant or sequential application of BRAF(V600) inhibitors and radiotherapy is inevitable. Recent reports show a significant radiosensitization of the irradiated healthy tissue in patients with melanoma after the combination of radiotherapy and BRAF(V600) inhibitors, evoking concern in clinical practice. We review interactions of BRAF(V600) inhibitors and radiation with regard to antitumor effects and an increased radiotoxicity in the healthy tissue.
Keywords: BRAF inhibitor; dabrafenib; melanoma; radiosensitization; radiotherapy; vemurafenib.