The University of Texas at Arlington

Mathematical Model Suggests Tapering, Not Cycling, May Optimize Melanoma Targeted Therapy

- A new mathematical study offers an explanation for why continuous targeted therapy outperformed intermittent dosing in melanoma clinical trials, despite promising laboratory results. - Using optimal control theory, researchers found the best schedule begins with full-dose therapy, transitions to an intermediate dose, then discontinues treatment without restarting it. - In a randomized Phase 2 trial, intermittent dabrafenib and trametinib produced a median progression-free survival of 8.5 months versus 10.7 months for continuous treatment, with response rates of 57% versus 77%. - The framework aims to balance tumor control and treatment toxicity, potentially lowering patient costs and hospital overhead while guiding personalized cancer therapy decisions.