Opinion
Video
Immunotherapy Landscape in cSCC and BCC
Leading experts discuss the evolving role of immunotherapy and neoadjuvant therapies in cSCC and BCC treatment.
This is a video synopsis/summary of a Peer Exchange involving Jason Luke, MD, FACP; Christopher Barker, MD; Omid Hamid, MD; Vishal Patel, MD; and Catherine Pisano, MD.
Patel explained that while most basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) are treated surgically, a subset of patients with recurrent, advanced or metastatic disease require systemic therapy. He noted systemic treatment is also considered for some patients with a high disease burden for whom surgery would be excessively disfiguring or challenging. Luke highlighted the increasing use of immunotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting across cancer types to facilitate organ preservation and improve outcomes. Hamid discussed a neoadjuvant trial in cSCC that demonstrated high pathologic complete response rates and helped make previously unresectable tumors suitable for surgery. The discussants agreed that the impressive responses observed with neoadjuvant cemiplimab set the stage for testing shortened treatment courses and even nonsurgical management in some cSCC patients.
Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by AJMC editorial staff.
