Atypical response with bone pseudoprogression in a patient receiving nivolumab for advanced cutaneous squamous cell...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunotherapy
• Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CSCC) research

Background:

• No established standard of care exists for metastatic CSCC.
• CSCC carcinogenesis mechanisms suggest potential efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 blockade.
• Advanced CSCC often presents challenges in treatment and management.

Observation:

• A patient with metastatic CSCC, nodal involvement, and pulmonary metastases was treated with nivolumab.
• The patient had prior refractoriness to two platinum-based regimens and salvage surgery.
• An atypical response pattern was observed during treatment with nivolumab.

Findings:

• Initial reduction in soft tissue and visceral lesions was noted.
• New bone findings emerged during treatment, followed by overall improvement on subsequent scans.
• Sustained disease control was achieved with continued nivolumab therapy.

Implications:

• Nivolumab may be a viable treatment option for refractory metastatic CSCC.
• Atypical response patterns to immunotherapy in CSCC warrant further investigation.
• This case supports the potential of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in managing advanced CSCC.