Dabrafenib is primarily used in the treatment of certain types of cancer, particularly melanoma that has spread to other parts of the body or cannot be surgically removed. It is specifically effective for melanoma with a mutation in the BRAF gene, which is present in about half of all melanoma cases. Dabrafenib works by inhibiting the activity of the mutated BRAF protein, thereby slowing down or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

In addition to melanoma, dabrafenib is also used in combination with another drug, trametinib, to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with the BRAF V600E mutation. This combination therapy has shown to improve outcomes by targeting different pathways involved in cancer cell growth and survival.

Dabrafenib is also being investigated for its potential in treating other types of cancers that have BRAF mutations, such as thyroid cancer and colorectal cancer. Its targeted approach makes it a valuable option in personalized cancer treatment, offering hope for patients with specific genetic mutations.