A BRAF inhibitor used with binimetinib for cancers with a BRAF V600 gene change
Encorafenib
A targeted cancer medicine for tumours with a BRAF V600 gene change, often given with binimetinib.
What is Encorafenib?
Encorafenib is a specialist targeted cancer medicine used to treat melanoma and certain other cancers that carry a specific gene change called BRAF V600. It blocks the faulty BRAF growth signal inside cancer cells and is often given together with another medicine called binimetinib. It only works for cancers with this gene change, so the tumour is tested first. Important safety points include effects on the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval) and the growth of new skin cancers, so heart checks and skin checks are needed. It can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is essential.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Encorafenib — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Encorafenib is a targeted cancer medicine known as a BRAF inhibitor. It is used to treat melanoma (a serious skin cancer) and some other cancers, but only when the tumour carries a particular change in the BRAF gene called V600, which is checked by a test first. It is taken by mouth as capsules and is often combined with a MEK inhibitor called binimetinib, and sometimes with other medicines depending on the type of cancer. It is prescribed and supervised by a cancer specialist.
How it works
A BRAF V600 gene change switches on a growth pathway that keeps the cancer dividing. Encorafenib blocks the faulty BRAF protein, turning down that growth signal so the cancer slows or shrinks. Because cancers can learn to get around BRAF blockade alone, encorafenib is usually paired with binimetinib, which blocks the next step on the same pathway (MEK). Using the pair tends to work better and for longer. The pathway also matters in healthy tissues such as the skin and heart, which is why monitoring is needed during treatment.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist targeted cancer medicine used in the UK, often with binimetinib, to treat cancers that carry a BRAF V600 gene change.
Practical use
How to take Encorafenib
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take the capsules by mouth as prescribed, at evenly spaced times, with or without food as directed.
- Take it together with binimetinib if that is what you have been prescribed, as the pair is usually used together.
- Tell your team about any heart-rhythm problems or other medicines that affect the heart rhythm.
- Check your skin regularly and report any new or changing skin lumps or spots.
- Use reliable contraception throughout treatment and for the advised time afterwards, and tell your team at once if you might be pregnant.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Encorafenib
Advantages
- Targets the faulty BRAF signal in cancers with a BRAF V600 gene change, slowing or shrinking the cancer.
- Taken by mouth as capsules rather than by infusion.
- Usually combined with binimetinib, which works better and for longer than BRAF blockade alone.
Disadvantages
- Only works for cancers with a BRAF V600 gene change, so the tumour must be tested first.
- Can affect the heart's rhythm (the QT interval) and can lead to new skin cancers.
- Can harm an unborn baby, so strict contraception is required.
Practical use
Good to know
Encorafenib only works for cancers with the BRAF V600 gene change, so the tumour is tested before treatment, and it is usually combined with binimetinib. Two safety points stand out: it can affect the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval), so heart tracings (ECGs) and salt levels may be checked, and it can lead to new skin growths and skin cancers, so regular skin checks and reporting new lesions are important. Other effects can include tiredness, joint and muscle aches and changes in liver blood tests. A crucial point is that it can harm an unborn baby, so reliable contraception is essential during treatment and for a time afterwards, and you should tell your team straight away if you might be pregnant.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to encorafenib should not take it.
- It should not be used for cancers that do not carry the BRAF V600 gene change, as it will not work.
- It must not be used in pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby, and it is used with caution in people with certain heart-rhythm problems.
Monitoring
- Confirming the BRAF V600 gene change before starting treatment.
- Heart tracings (ECGs) and salt-level checks for the QT interval.
- Regular skin checks for new skin cancers, plus liver blood tests.
Side effects
- Tiredness, joint and muscle aches and feeling sick.
- Skin changes such as thickened skin or rash, and new skin growths and skin cancers.
- Changes in the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval).
- Less commonly, raised liver blood tests, headache or changes in vision, which should be reported.
Key interactions
- Some medicines can raise or lower encorafenib levels, so tell your team about everything you take.
- Medicines that affect the heart's QT interval should be reviewed alongside it.
- It is usually used as a pair with binimetinib, so their combined effects are taken into account.
Available as: Capsules taken by mouth.
Answers
Encorafenib: frequently asked questions
What is encorafenib used for?
It is used to treat melanoma and certain other cancers, but only when the tumour carries a particular gene change called BRAF V600, which is tested for first.
Why is it given with binimetinib?
Encorafenib blocks one point on the cancer's growth pathway and binimetinib blocks another, so the pair works better and for longer than BRAF blockade alone.
Why do I need heart checks?
Encorafenib can affect the heart's electrical rhythm (the QT interval), so heart tracings and salt levels may be checked during treatment.
Why do I need skin checks?
It can cause new skin growths and skin cancers, so regular skin checks and reporting any new or changing spots are important.
Can I take it if I might become pregnant?
No. It can harm an unborn baby, so it must not be used in pregnancy and reliable contraception is essential during and after treatment.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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