Abstract: Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin tumor caused by excessive proliferation of the abnormal melanocytes with an increasing incidence in recent years in China. However， patients with advanced melanoma had very poor prognosis by traditional therapies. The discovery of prevalent BRAF V600 mutation driving proliferation offers an opportunity to test this oncogenetarget therapy for melanoma. Since 2011， the development of BRAF inhibitor significantly improved the outcome of advanced melanoma treatment， which have brought a hope to the advanced melanoma therapy. This article reviews the mechanism and the current clinical application of BRAF inhibitor from clinical trials in advanced melanoma. In addition， this review will also focus on safety of BRAF inhibitor and treatment selection to obtain maximal benefit in clinical practices.

Key words: Advanced melanoma, BRAF V600 mutation, BRAF inhibitor