Dear Editor: Alopecia areata (AA) is a form of alopecia whose prevalence ranges from 0 [...]

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Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer and can represent a therapeutic challenge in patients with locally advanced disease. Vismodegib is a hedgehog pathway inhibitor approved by the FDA for use in this type of tumor. We present a case series to describe our experience with the use of vismodegib. Methods: A retrospective study that included patients treated with vismodegib at our dermatology unit was conducted. Monthly follow-up was performed, and we registered the clinical evolution and adverse reactions. Results: A total of six patients with locally advanced BCCs were included (50% males and 50% females), with a mean age of 78.5 years old. The treatment was administered over a mean of 5 months. A complete response was observed in four cases and partial response in two cases. No recurrence was detected, with a median follow-up duration after discontinuation of 18 months. Most patients (83%) had at least one adverse event, and two needed dose adjustment temporarily or permanently to continue. The main adverse effect was muscle spasms (66.7%). The main limitation of our study was the small sample, which was not representative of the general population. Conclusions: Vismodegib is a safe and effective treatment for locally advanced BCC, and its role in unresectable BCC seems to be an important option in these challenging cases.

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