Dabrafenib is a medication used primarily to treat certain types of cancer, particularly melanoma that has a specific mutation in the BRAF gene. It works by inhibiting the activity of the mutated BRAF protein, which helps to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells. This drug is often used in combination with another medication called trametinib, which targets a different protein in the same signaling pathway. Together, they can enhance treatment effectiveness and improve outcomes for patients with advanced or metastatic melanoma.