NEW LOWER PRICES - ACT FAST
Medicine (MD/DO)
/
Courses
/
Immunology & Oncology
/
Immunosuppressants & Antineoplastic Agents
/
BRAF Inhibitors

Master BRAF Inhibitors with Picmonic for Medicine

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF
BRAF Inhibitors

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Prednisone (Glucocorticoids)
picmonic thumbnail
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune) Overview
picmonic thumbnail
Cyclosporine (Sandimmune) Side Effects
picmonic thumbnail
Tacrolimus (Prograf) Overview
picmonic thumbnail
Tacrolimus (Prograf) Side Effects

BRAF Inhibitors

B-Raft Mutant Inhibiting-chains
DikeHAfifi
BRAF Inhibitors are chemotherapeutic agents that target the mutated BRAF proto-oncogene in several cancers. The BRAF proto-oncogene is a serine/threonine kinase. A valine-to-glutamic acid mutation in the 600th codon position of this protein is a common mutation (V600E). BRAF inhibitors can be used to treat melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, papillary thyroid cancer, and hairy cell leukemia. Examples of these drugs are dabrafenib and vemurafenib.
9 KEY FACTS
CHARACTERISTICS
BRAF Proto-oncogene
B-Raft Propeller On-switch

The BRAF proto-oncogene works by sending signals inside cells responsible for cell growth. It can become an oncogene from mutations or an increase in expression.

Serine/Threonine Kinase
S-ring/Throw-ninja Kite-ace

The BRAF gene encodes a protein that is known as serine/threonine-protein kinase. This protein is a kinase enzyme that phosphorylates the -OH groups of serine or threonine (which have similar side-chains). It mediates signal transduction from Ras to MEK in the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway resulting in cell division, proliferation, and differentiation.

V600E Mutation
V-600-sax-E Mutant

The most frequent mutation of BRAF is a valine to glutamic acid substitution at codon 600 (V600E). This mutation has been found in more than 60% of melanomas, and 7-8% of other cancers.

INDICATIONS
Melanoma
Melon-gnome

Melanoma is the 5th most common cancer among men and 6th among women. About half of all melanomas have BRAF mutations. Advanced melanoma with a mutation in BRAF has a three-fold increased risk of death compared with melanoma without BRAF mutations.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Nun-hog-king with Lime-foam

Changes of Ras–RAF kinase pathway by BRAF mutation may contribute to non-Hodgkin lymphoma carcinogenesis. BRAF inhibitors can be used for this disease.

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Paper Thigh-droid Car-gnome

BRAF mutations are found in around 45-50% of all papillary thyroid cancers. Higher recurrence rates, extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases, and worse survival are associated with this mutation. BRAFV600E-positive advanced RAI-refractory thyroid cancer can be treated with vemurafenib. Dabrafenib is used for BRAFV600E mutated metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Hairy Cell Leukemia
Leukemia's Hairy-friend

The BRAFV600E mutation is seen in 90% to 100% of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) patients. This mutation is a potential therapeutic target, especially for HCL patients who do not respond well to initial therapy with purine analogs.

DRUGS
Dabrafenib
Dab-raft

Dabrafenib is often co-administered with MEK inhibitors (eg, trametinib) which are used after surgery in patients with stage III melanoma.

Vemurafenib
Van-raft

Vemurafenib (brand name Zelboraf) is used to treat metastatic melanoma with BRAFV600E mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test or melanoma that cannot be treated with resection. This medication is not indicated for wild-type BRAF melanoma.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Take the BRAF Inhibitors Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Medicine (MD/DO) Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,870,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Medicine (MD/DO) student study app.

Picmonic for Medicine (MD/DO) covers information that is relevant to your entire Medicine (MD/DO) education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, COMLEX Level 1, or COMLEX Level 2, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Medicine (MD/DO) flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.