Study was never opened to accrual. There is no clinical benefit to patients.

This phase I trial studies the best dose of vemurafenib when combined with whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) mutation-positive melanoma and brain metastases. Radiation therapy is an effective treatment for patients with brain metastases. Patients with multiple metastases are typically treated with WBRT. For patients with a few metastases, SRS alone can be used. Vemurafenib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Combining radiation treatment with vemurafenib for melanoma patients with brain metastases may result in improved local control and prolonged survival.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of vemurafenib when combined with WBRT or SRS and determine a recommended phase II dose of vemurafenib to be used with WBRT or SRS in patients with brain metastases from melanoma.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine local control rates of the brain metastases in each arm. II. To determine the rates of developing of new brain metastases in each arm. III. To determine the response of extracranial disease. IV. To determine the overall survival rate and progression free survival rate. V. To determine the safety and tolerability of each arm.

OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study of vemurafenib. Patients are assigned to 1 of 2 arms based on the number and size of brain metastasis.

All patients receive vemurafenib orally (PO) twice daily (BID) beginning 3-5 days before the start of radiation therapy and continuing in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

ARM A: Patients undergo WBRT once daily (QD) for 10 doses.

ARM B: Patients undergo SRS (gamma knife, tomotherapy, cyberknife, or megavoltage linear accelerator [LINAC] radiation therapy) on day 1.

After completion of study therapy, patients are followed up on weeks 5 or 7, 9 and 13, and then on months 4, 6, 9, and 12.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥ 18 years

2. Histological confirmed melanoma (prior diagnosis okay)

3. BRAFV600 mutation positive (cobas 4800 BRAFV600 mutation test)

4. ECOG performance status 0 or 1

5. Craniotomy resection is allowed (a minimum 2 weeks recovery time from surgery to initiation of protocol therapy)

6. Radiographic evidence of brain metastasis

7. Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent. A signed informed consent must be obtained prior to any study specific procedures.

8. Adequate organ function:

   1. WBC ≥ 2000/uL
   2. ANC ≥ 1000/uL
   3. Platelets ≥ 75 x 103/uL
   4. Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL (≥ 80 g/L; may be transfused)
   5. Creatinine ≤ 2.0 x ULN OR 24-hour creatinine clearance >= 50 ml/min
   6. AST/ALT ≤ 2.5 x ULN for patients without liver metastasis, ≤ 5 times for liver metastases
   7. Bilirubin ≤ 2.0 x ULN, (except patients with Gilbert's Syndrome, who must have a total bilirubin less than 3.0 mg/dL)
   8. Total serum calcium (corrected for serum albumin) or ionized calcium ≥ lower limit of normal (LLN)
   9. Serum potassium ≥ LLN
   10. Serum sodium ≥ LLN
   11. Serum albumin ≥ LLN or 3g/dl
   12. Patients with any elevated Alkaline Phosphatase due to bone metastases can be enrolled

9. Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP) must be using an adequate method of contraception to avoid pregnancy throughout the study and for up to 26 weeks after the last dose of investigational product, in such a manner that the risk of pregnancy is minimized. Women of potential child bearing potential include any female who has experienced menarche and who has not undergone successful surgical sterilization (hysterectomy, bilateral tubal ligation, or bilateral oophorectomy) or is not post-menopausal. Post-menopause is defined as:

   1. Amenorrhea ≥ 12 consecutive months without another cause, or
   2. For women with irregular menstrual periods and taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT), a documented serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level ≥ 35 mIU/mL.
   3. Women who are using oral contraceptives, other hormonal contraceptives (vaginal products, skin patches, or implanted or injectable products), or mechanical products such as an intrauterine device or barrier methods (diaphragm, condoms, spermicides) to prevent pregnancy, or are practicing abstinence or where their partner is sterile (eg, vasectomy) should be considered to be of childbearing potential.
   4. WOCBP must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test (minimum sensitivity 25 IU/L or equivalent units of HCG) within 72 hours before the start of radiation.

   Men of fathering potential must be using an adequate method of contraception to avoid conception throughout the study [and for up to 26 weeks after the last dose of investigational product] in such a manner that the risk of pregnancy is minimized.

10. Specific eligibility criteria for the two arms:

    1. Arm A (WBRT and Vemurafenib):

       • Patients have 5 or more brain metastases, or patients have any brain metastases exceeding the limit for SRS (maximum diameter is > 4 cm).
       • OR Patient has only one brain metastasis and completely resected, the resection cavity is > 5 cm in diameter.

    2. Arm B (SRS and Vemurafenib):

       • Patients have 4 or fewer brain metastases. All the brain metastases are ≤ 4 cm in diameter.
       • Patients have only one brain metastasis and completely resected, the resection cavity is ≤ 5 cm in diameter.
       • OR If a patient is found to have progression of brain metastases that exceed 4 cm in diameter based on the MRI scan on the day of SRS procedure, the patient should be re-assigned to WBRT arm or withdrawn from the study. The study PI should be notified.
       • OR If a patient is found to have progression of brain metastases that exceed 4 lesions based on the MRI scan on the day of the SRS procedure, the patient can either receive SRS to all the lesions (up to 10 lesions), be re-assigned to WBRT arm, or be withdrawn from the study per the treating physician. The study PI should be notified.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Leptomeningeal involvement
2. Cardiac disease: Congestive heart failure > class II. Patients must not have unstable angina (anginal symptoms at rest) or new onset angina (began within the last 3 months) or myocardial infarction within the past 6 months.
3. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
4. Documented history of cranial hemorrhage
5. Concurrent administration of any anticancer therapies other than those administered in the study
6. Treatment with any cytotoxic, investigational drug, or targeted therapy within 2 weeks prior to the protocol treatment.
7. Craniotomy within 2 weeks of protocol treatment.
8. Prior treatment with other BRAF or MEK inhibitors
9. Patients who had prior brain radiation. However, prior WBRT is allowed in Arm B.
10. QTc > 450 ms
11. Patients have a history of any other malignancy from which the patient has been disease-free for less than 2 years, with the exception of adequately treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of skin, superficial bladder cancer or carcinoma in situ of cervix, AJCC (version 7.0) stage 0 or I breast cancer, AJCC (version 7.0) stage I, or II prostate cancer.