PLX4032, a potent inhibitor of the B‐Raf V600E oncogene, selectively inhibits V600E‐positive melanomas

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Abstract
Targeted intervention of the B‐Raf V600E gene product that is prominent in melanoma has been met with modest success. Here, we characterize the pharmacological properties of PLX4032, a next‐generation inhibitor with exquisite specificity against the V600E oncogene and striking anti‐melanoma activity. PLX4032 induces potent cell cycle arrest, inhibits proliferation, and initiates apoptosis exclusively in V600E‐positive cells in a variety of in vitro experimental systems; follow‐up xenograft studies demonstrate extreme selectivity and efficacy against melanoma tumors bearing the V600E oncoproduct. The collective data support further exploration of PLX4032 as a candidate drug for patients with metastatic melanoma; accordingly, validation of PLX4032 as a therapeutic tool for patients with melanoma is now underway in advanced human (Phase III) clinical trials.