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Updated: May 4, 2026
Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
Published on: August 21, 2013
Vismodegib: A smoothened inhibitor for the treatment of advanced basal cell carcinoma
Suruchi Aditya1, Aditya Rattan2
1Department of Pharmacology, Dr. Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences, Chandigarh, India.
Abstract:
Incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), the most common skin cancer in humans, is rising. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment but there is no standard of care for locally advanced or metastatic disease. Hedgehog signaling proteins are critical for cell growth and differentiation during embryogenesis; Hh pathway is silenced in adults. Dysregulated or aberrant Hh signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of BCC. This hyperactive pathway can be inhibited by use of smoothened inhibitors such as vismodegib. Food and drug administration approved this oral, once-daily medication in 2012 to treat adults with metastatic BCC or locally advanced, recurrent BCC after surgery and also for patients with locally advanced BCC who are not candidates for surgery or radiation treatment. Clinical studies have shown it to be highly efficacious and the most common adverse effects include, muscle spasms, alopecia and dysgeusia. Use of targeted biologic modifiers, exemplified by Hh directed therapeutics offer a new hope to patients with high-surgical morbidity or inoperable tumors.
Insights
Vismodegib, a hedgehog signaling inhibitor, offers a new treatment for advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC). This targeted therapy provides hope for patients with inoperable tumors or high surgical risks.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) incidence is increasing globally.
- Current treatments for advanced BCC, including surgery, have limitations.
- Aberrant hedgehog (Hh) signaling is implicated in BCC development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of vismodegib, a smoothened inhibitor, for advanced BCC.
- To explore targeted therapy as a treatment option for BCC.
- To provide an alternative for patients unsuitable for surgery or radiation.
Main Methods:
- Clinical studies assessed the efficacy of vismodegib.
- Vismodegib, an oral, once-daily medication, targets the Hh pathway.
- Patient populations included metastatic BCC and locally advanced BCC.
Main Results:
- Vismodegib demonstrated high efficacy in treating advanced BCC.
- Common adverse effects include muscle spasms, alopecia, and dysgeusia.
- Targeted therapies like vismodegib offer new hope for difficult-to-treat BCC.
Conclusions:
- Vismodegib is an effective treatment for advanced basal cell carcinoma.
- Targeted inhibition of the Hh pathway represents a significant advancement in BCC treatment.
- This therapeutic approach benefits patients with high surgical morbidity or inoperable tumors.
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