Biotech Values

[iwfal]

PLX4032 (BRAF Inhibitor in melanoma) - It may have spectacular efficacy, but it is has some nasty side effects:


"Among the 48 patients treated in the dose-escalation and extension cohorts, 18 patients developed cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in sun exposed areas of the skin (primarily keratoacanthoma subtype) "

See: http://www.plexxikon.com/view.cfm/78/Press-Releases

Interesting question is whether the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma can be avoided just by rigorously avoiding the sun - or is it previous sun damage that is turned into squamous cell carcinoma?

Note that obviously, regardless of the answer to the question about minimizing squamous cell carcinoma, it is very likely to end up being a useful drug.