Nivolumab for recurrent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: three cases

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology

Background:

• Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression is common in cutaneous squamous cell cancer (CSCC).
• Programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) checkpoint inhibitors are emerging therapies for metastatic cancers.

Observation:

• Three patients with advanced, PD-L1-positive CSCC, who had failed prior chemotherapy, received off-label nivolumab.
• Two patients achieved partial tumor response, with ongoing therapy exceeding 12 months.
• One patient achieved stable disease after three months, with ongoing therapy.

Findings:

• Nivolumab demonstrated clinical efficacy in heavily pre-treated patients with metastatic CSCC.
• The PD-1 inhibitor was well-tolerated, with no severe adverse events reported.
• Commercially available PD-1 inhibitors may offer a treatment option for CSCC patients outside of clinical trials.

Implications:

• These findings support the consideration of PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors for advanced CSCC.
• Further investigation in clinical trials is warranted to confirm efficacy and safety.
• PD-1 inhibitor therapy may represent a valuable option for non-melanoma skin cancer patients.