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Risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma after treatment of basal cell carcinoma with vismodegib

Tina Bhutani1, Michael Abrouk1, Camelia S Sima2

  • 1Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|August 7, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Vismodegib, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), did not increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) development. This finding is based on a study comparing vismodegib-treated patients with those receiving standard BCC therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Vismodegib is a targeted therapy for advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that inhibits the hedgehog signaling pathway.
  • Concerns exist regarding a potential increased risk of secondary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in patients treated with vismodegib.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between vismodegib treatment and the risk of developing cutaneous SCC.
  • To evaluate the safety profile of vismodegib concerning SCC development in BCC patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study design comparing patients treated with vismodegib in clinical trials.
  • Comparison group included patients receiving standard therapy for primary BCC from a nonmelanoma skin cancer cohort.
  • Analysis included 1675 patients assessing SCC development post-vismodegib exposure.

Main Results:

  • Vismodegib treatment was not associated with an increased risk of subsequent SCC (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.28-1.16).
  • Factors such as age, sex, prior nonmelanoma skin cancer history, and visit frequency were significant predictors of SCC development.
  • No statistically significant increase in SCC risk was observed with vismodegib compared to standard treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Vismodegib is not linked to a higher risk of developing SCC in patients with BCC.
  • The study utilized a historical control cohort, which is a noted limitation.
  • Results suggest vismodegib can be safely used for BCC treatment without elevating SCC risk compared to standard care.
Keywords:
basal cell carcinomalocally advancedmetastaticsafetysquamous cell carcinomavismodegib

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