Encorafenib plus Binimetinib in patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic BRAF<sup>V600</sup>-mutant melanoma: First data of the multicenter, multinational, prospective, non-interventional longitudinal study BERING<sup>MELANOMA</sup>.
Authors: Erika Richtig, Ralf Gutzmer, Carmen Loquai, Jochen Utikal, Christoph Hoeller, Rudolf Stadler, Andrea Forschner, Jessica Cecile Hassel, Daniela Goeppner, Michael Fluck, Sebastian Haferkamp, Martin Kaatz, Manfred Welslau, Reinhard Dummer, Roger Anton Fredy Von Moos, Andrea Schmidt, Laura Milde, Olivier Michielin, Dirk Schadendorf
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2021)

9555 Background: For the treatment of advanced BRAF V600 -mutated melanoma, targeted therapy (BRAF/MEK-inhibition) is a standard of care. Encorafenib + binimetinib (EB) were approved in the EU in Sep 2018 and in Switzerland in Nov 2019, based on positive results from COLUMBUS (NCT01909453), with a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 14.9 mo (4-year PFS: 26%) and overall survival (OS) of 33.6 mo (4-year OS: 39%). As data from controlled trials are based on selected populations, BERING MELANOMA investigates the use of EB under real-world conditions in a broader population. Methods: BERING MELANOMA is an ongoing, multi-national, multi-center, prospective, longitudinal, non-interventional study. It analyzes the effectiveness, quality of life and tolerability of EB-treatment under real-world conditions (primary endpoint: 1-year PFS-rate), focusing on the first- (1L) and second-line setting and including an evaluation of the impact of prognostic factors. The project aims to enroll up to 750 patients (pts) in a total of 80 German, Austrian and Swiss sites with a study duration of 8 yrs. So far, from Oct 2019 to Jan 2021, 153 pts have been included. Pts with prior BRAF-/MEK-inhibition (except adjuvant use completed &gt; 6 mo) and &gt; 1 prior treatment line were excluded. Results: Here we present the first planned interim analysis based on the initial 100 enrolled pts (91 treated / 89 evaluable; median follow-up: 8.1 mo). This analysis set shows a median age of 63.0 yrs (range 29.0-88.0), 52% of pts were female. 81% presented with distant metastases (brain: 31%), with an involvement of ≥3 organ systems in 51% and an elevated LDH in 42%. 54% of pts underwent prior systemic therapy (adjuvant: 28%; 1L: 24%, with ipilimumab + nivolumab as main 1L-treatment: 52%). EB was mainly administered in the 1L-setting (65%). Main reasons for EB-selection were: physician's preference (37%), efficacy (34%), quality of life (21%). Median estimated EB treatment duration was 12.7 mo (95%CI 8.3-NE), median relative dose intensity was 100% for both drugs. Treatment adaptations were required in 34% of pts. Adverse events (AE) were reported in 76% of pts (grade 3/4: 26%). Main AE (≥10%, all grades) were: nausea (18%), diarrhea (17%), CK increase (15%), fatigue (11%), gamma-GT increase (11%). No fatal toxicities were observed. Conclusions: This first interim analysis of BERING MELANOMA shows an investigation of EB in a real-world population with advanced disease. Despite the poorer prognosis configuration as compared to the pivotal study, the observed treatment duration and tolerability profile are largely consistent with data derived from COLUMBUS without any new safety signals. The second interim analysis will be performed after enrollment of 200 pts and will include an initial analysis of effectiveness data. Clinical trial information: NCT04045691.