Which class of drugs includes both dabrafenib and vemurafenib?

Dabrafenib and vemurafenib are both classified as BRAF inhibitors, which specifically target and inhibit the activity of the BRAF protein associated with certain types of cancer, particularly melanoma. BRAF is a serine/threonine kinase that is part of the MAPK signaling pathway, which is critical in regulating cell growth and division. In many cancer cells, mutations in the BRAF gene can lead to uncontrolled proliferation. By inhibiting BRAF, these drugs effectively reduce tumor growth in patients whose cancers harbor these mutations.

Understanding the mechanism of action and the specific class of drugs is essential in oncology, especially as targeted therapies like BRAF inhibitors are increasingly used to improve patient outcomes in specific cancer subtypes.