# BRIM-3: improved survival with vemurafenib in melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation

Source: https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-chapman-vemurafenib-nejm-2011/  
OnCo record `paper-chapman-vemurafenib-nejm-2011` (Key paper). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Vemurafenib, the first drug targeting the BRAF V600E mutation, reduced deaths by 63 percent compared with dacarbazine chemotherapy in metastatic melanoma, launching targeted therapy in the disease.

## Summary

Phase 3 trial of 675 patients with previously untreated BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic melanoma randomised to vemurafenib or dacarbazine.

At interim analysis, the hazard ratio for death was 0.37 and for progression 0.26, with response of 48 versus 5 percent; cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, arthralgia and photosensitivity were the characteristic toxicities, and the data monitoring board recommended crossover.

## Fields

- Kind: Key paper
- Last checked: 2026-09-17
- Journal: New England Journal of Medicine
- Year: 2011
- DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1103782
- Authors: Chapman PB, Hauschild A, Robert C, et al.
- Findings: Hazard ratio for death 0.37; for progression 0.26 at interim analysis.; Objective response 48 percent vs 5 percent.
- What it means: BRAF testing became mandatory in advanced melanoma and vemurafenib the first approved BRAF inhibitor; combination with MEK inhibitors soon replaced monotherapy.
- Caveats: Early analysis; responses were often short because of acquired resistance.; Keratoacanthomas and squamous cell carcinomas in about 18 percent.

## Sources

- N Engl J Med 2011: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1103782
- PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21639808/

## Connected records

- cancers: [BRAF V600-mutant melanoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/braf-v600-melanoma/)
- drugs: [Vemurafenib](https://onco.cc/drugs/vemurafenib/)
- journals: [New England Journal of Medicine](https://onco.cc/journals/nejm/)

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