Opinion
Video
Updates in Therapeutics for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers
Exploring recent trials and updates in nonmelanoma skin cancer 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.
Hamid highlighted numerous studies beyond PD-1 inhibition under exploration for advanced basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, including combination immunotherapies, immunomodulators targeting the tumor microenvironment, oncolytic viruses delivering immune stimulants, and radiation-immunotherapy sequencing. He advised referring immunotherapy-refractory patients to early-phase trials given the breadth of promising approaches. Luke likened the high response rates but common immunotherapy failure in advanced skin cancers to historical melanoma outcomes that fueled robust trial participation. However, continuous carcinoma patients lack this expectation and support. Hamid noted patient advocacy is integral to driving awareness and multidisciplinary coordination compared to melanoma. Pisano cited fledgling efforts at community engagement and patient groups to elevate disease seriousness beyond the dismissive “just freeze it off” perception. She looks forward to emerging immunotherapy data in solid-organ transplant recipients. Barker expects rapid expansion of combination strategies leveraging radiation, surgery, and diverse immunotherapy agents over the next few years to build on the initial success of single-agent PD-1 blockade.
Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by AJMC® editorial staff.
