encorafenib at a glance
Medicine class
Selective RAF kinase inhibitor
Biomarker testing
A suitable BRAF mutation must be confirmed before treatment
How it is used
Used with binimetinib, cetuximab or cetuximab plus FOLFOX, depending on the cancer
Food
Capsules may be taken with or without food; avoid grapefruit juice
What is encorafenib used for?
Licensed uses in adults with confirmed susceptible BRAF mutations include:
Unresectable or metastatic melanoma, with binimetinib.
Advanced non-small cell lung cancer with a BRAF V600E mutation, with binimetinib.
Metastatic colorectal cancer with a BRAF V600E mutation after previous systemic treatment, with cetuximab.
First-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer with a BRAF V600E mutation, with cetuximab and FOLFOX chemotherapy.
How does encorafenib work?
Encorafenib blocks mutant BRAF, which can keep a cancer-cell growth pathway switched on. Binimetinib blocks the same pathway at MEK, while cetuximab helps prevent EGFR-driven bypass signalling in colorectal cancer.
encorafenib preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg, 75 mg
How to take encorafenib
Follow the oncology team's instructions. Do not change or stop treatment without speaking to them.
Swallow the capsules whole with water.
Take with or without food.
Avoid grapefruit juice because it can increase encorafenib exposure and toxicity.
If swallowing is difficult, open the capsule, disperse its contents in a small amount of apple sauce and take immediately.
If vomiting occurs after taking encorafenib, do not take an extra dose.
encorafenib side effects
Common or expected effects
- Fatigue
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or abdominal pain
- Reduced appetite
- Rash, dry skin, itching or acne-like skin changes
- Joint, muscle or limb pain
- Headache
- Anaemia or other blood-count changes, depending on the treatment combination
- Peripheral neuropathy, particularly with chemotherapy-containing treatment
Get urgent medical advice
- New or worsening visual disturbance, eye pain or redness
- Unusual or major bleeding
- Breathlessness, leg swelling, faintness or an irregular heartbeat
- Severe muscle pain or weakness with dark urine
- New, changing, bleeding or non-healing skin lesions
- Signs of tumour lysis syndrome, including reduced urine, muscle cramps, seizures or marked weakness
- Severe dehydration, kidney problems or significant liver-test abnormalities
- Severe allergic reaction
encorafenib in pregnancy
Encorafenib is not recommended during pregnancy because animal studies indicate reproductive toxicity and human pregnancy data are lacking. Effective contraception is required during treatment and for at least one month afterwards. Encorafenib can reduce hormonal contraception's effectiveness, so discuss an additional or alternative non-hormonal method with the specialist team. Contact them promptly if pregnancy occurs.
encorafenib while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether encorafenib or its metabolites enter human milk, and risk to a breastfed child cannot be excluded. The specialist team should decide whether breastfeeding or treatment should be discontinued after considering the benefits and risks.
encorafenib interactions
The oncology team should review prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products before and during treatment. Important examples include:
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, including ritonavir, itraconazole, posaconazole and clarithromycin
These can substantially increase encorafenib exposure and toxicity and should generally be avoided.
Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors, including diltiazem, fluconazole, erythromycin and amiodarone
These may increase encorafenib exposure, requiring caution and closer safety monitoring.
CYP3A4 inducers, including rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and St John’s wort
These may lower encorafenib exposure and compromise its effect, so alternatives should be considered.
Common questions about encorafenib
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why does encorafenib require a BRAF test?
It targets cancers driven by particular BRAF mutations and should not be used for the listed cancers when the tumour has wild-type BRAF.
Is encorafenib chemotherapy?
It is a targeted kinase inhibitor rather than conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, although it may be combined with chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.
Can encorafenib be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.