Review of systemic agents in the treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Erik T Petersen1, Saqib R Ahmed1, Leon Chen2

  • 1University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Dermatology, Mohs and Dermasurgery Unit, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Insights

Advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a rare but deadly form of skin cancer. Recent FDA approvals offer new hope, improving treatment options for this previously underserved patient group.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology
  • Medical Science

Background:

  • Advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) represents a small fraction of cSCC cases but causes a significant proportion of deaths.
  • Historically, effective treatment options for advanced cSCC were limited due to poor efficacy, durability, and high treatment-related morbidity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the systemic treatment modalities for advanced cSCC.
  • To analyze the historical evolution, current options, and future directions in managing advanced cSCC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of systemic treatment options for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Analysis of treatment efficacy, response durability, and associated morbidities.
  • Speculation on future therapeutic developments.

Main Results:

  • The landscape of advanced cSCC treatment has significantly improved since the first FDA approval in Autumn 2018.
  • New systemic agents offer better response rates and durability compared to historical options.
  • Despite advancements, challenges remain in optimizing treatment and minimizing morbidity.

Conclusions:

  • The advent of new systemic therapies marks a paradigm shift in managing advanced cSCC.
  • Continued research is crucial for further improving outcomes and patient quality of life in advanced cSCC.
  • Future developments are expected to enhance the efficacy and tolerability of treatments for advanced cSCC.

Related Concept Videos

Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment01:26

Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment

Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.     
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is...
1.5K
Review and Preview01:10

Review and Preview

In statistics, several tools are used to interpret the data. Measures of central tendency represent the characteristics of the data, such as mean, median, and mode. Additionally, measures of variance like standard deviation and range are used to find the spread of data from the mean. Relative standing measures the distance between data locations. Commonly used measures of relative standings are percentile, z score, and quartiles.
Percentiles are a type of fractile that partition data into...
8.3K
Review and Preview01:13

Review and Preview

Data are individual items of information obtained from a population or sample. Data may be classified as qualitative (categorical), quantitative continuous, or quantitative discrete. Because it is not practical to measure the entire population in a study, researchers use samples to represent the population. A random sample is a representative group from the population chosen by using a method that gives each individual in the population an equal chance of being included in the sample. Random...
10.9K
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
503
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
510
Extraction: Advanced Methods00:56

Extraction: Advanced Methods

Metal ions can be separated from one another by complexation with organic ligands–the chelating agent– to form uncharged chelates. Here, the chelating agent must contain hydrophobic groups and behave as a weak acid, losing a proton to bind with the metal. Since most organic ligands used in this process are insoluble or undergo oxidation in the aqueous phase, the chelating agent is initially added to the organic phase and extracted into the aqueous phase. The metal-ligand complex is...
1.1K