Systemic Therapy in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CSCC)

Abstract

Platinum-based therapy remains as one of the standard options in advanced CSCC management. Agents to improve response rates are needed and future trials should address the use of novel targeted and new chemotherapy combinations in CSCC.

Cetuximab is efficient and safe in patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective, multicentre study

“…Investigation of systemic therapies for advanced cSCC has been limited to a few prospective trials, and most of the time, retrospective data concern a highly selected population. Cisplatin-based combination chemotherapies are the most commonly used treatment, with an overall response rate of up to 80% [8][9][10]. Nevertheless, most of the time, this efficacy is not durable.…”

Unresectable Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Forehead With MLH1 Mutation Showing Dramatic Response to Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 Inhibitor Therapy

“…1,3,5 Preclinical studies and clinical case reports have shown that the high mutation burden 20 coupled with observed immunosuppression in instances of cutaneous SCC progression implicates a utility for targeting immune checkpoint elements such as those in the PD-1 pathway. 3,5 …”

“…Serial testing of thyroid, liver and renal function was performed on follow-up to monitor for reported adverse outcomes. 3 The patient was followed for clinical outcome on an observational study. 9 …”

“…1–3 Recent reports have suggested that drugs targeting the programed cell death receptor (PD-1) pathway provide great promise as a treatment option for controlling progressive, unresectable, cutaneous SCC. 1–5 Pembrolizumab, is a PD-1 pathway antagonist approved by the US Food and Drug administration for advanced melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.…”

Complete pathologic response of metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and allograft rejection after treatment with combination immune checkpoint blockade

“…These strategies lack durability, and overall survival for mcSCC is only 10.9 months. 2 Clinical responses in mcSCC have recently been reported with the use of PD-1 antibodies, pembrolizumab and nivolumab. 3 , 4 , 5 Here we report a complete pathologic response after 4 cycles of nivolumab and the anti–CTLA-4 antibody, ipilimumab, in a patient with mcSCC.…”