Gene Expression Models of BRAF Inhibitor Resistance in Melanoma Predict Drug Repurposing Candidates for Novel Combination Therapies

摘要

Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer, accounting for nearly 10,000 deaths in the United States in 2014. Approximately 50% of melanomas possess the activating BRAFV600E mutation that can be targeted with BRAF inhibitors; however, drug resistance to theses therapies remains a significant challenge. Improved drug combinations are needed for melanoma patients to curb drug resistance and improve response rates to existing therapies. Traditional approaches for drug discovery are costly and inefficient, and thus even more prohibitive to the approval of effective combination therapy.