Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 11, 2026

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
06:53

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis

Published on: August 21, 2013

13.0K

Failure of vismodegib in advanced Basal cell carcinoma

G Hansel1, G Tchernev2, A A Chokoeva3

  • 1Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Academic Teaching Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany.

Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents
|May 29, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Vismodegib, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, shows promise for advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC). However, this case highlights primary chemoresistance in a patient with multicentric BCC, indicating limitations of this targeted therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common human malignancy.
  • Treatment options for locally advanced and metastatic BCC are limited.
  • Vismodegib, a hedgehog signal pathway inhibitor, is a recent therapeutic advancement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of a 38-year-old female patient with large multicentric BCC of the temple.
  • To investigate primary chemoresistance to vismodegib in BCC.
  • To discuss potential mechanisms and limitations of vismodegib therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a patient with basal cell carcinoma.
  • Clinical observation of treatment response to vismodegib.
  • Discussion of molecular pathways and therapeutic resistance.

Main Results:

  • The patient presented with a large multicentric basal cell carcinoma.
  • The tumor exhibited primary chemoresistance to vismodegib.
  • This case underscores potential limitations of vismodegib in certain BCC presentations.

Conclusions:

  • Vismodegib is effective for some advanced BCCs but not universally.
  • Primary resistance to vismodegib can occur in basal cell carcinoma.
  • Further research is needed to understand and overcome vismodegib resistance mechanisms.

More Related Videos

The Clinical Application of Tumor Treating Fields Therapy in Glioblastoma08:00

The Clinical Application of Tumor Treating Fields Therapy in Glioblastoma

Published on: April 16, 2019

19.7K
Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma06:15

Tumor Treating Field Therapy in Combination with Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Recurrent Glioblastoma

Published on: October 27, 2014

28.0K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.2K
Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
6.6K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
8.5K
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
5.0K
Metastasis02:30

Metastasis

Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
6.9K