Cemiplimab and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: From Bench to Bedside

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Immunotherapy

Background:

• Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), particularly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are prevalent in fair-skinned populations.
• Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) incidence is rising, often presenting with poor prognosis in advanced or metastatic stages, with limited survival rates.
• cSCC pathogenesis involves multifactorial elements including apoptosis, DNA repair deficiencies, and TP53 mutations, highlighting cell cycle regulation as a therapeutic avenue.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of the PD-1 inhibitor cemiplimab in treating advanced and metastatic cSCC.
• To describe the translational development of cemiplimab from preclinical research to clinical application.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical studies and clinical trial data on cemiplimab for advanced cSCC.
• Analysis of the translational research paradigm guiding cemiplimab's development and implementation.

Main Results:

• Cemiplimab demonstrates efficacy in treating advanced and metastatic cSCC unsuitable for surgical excision.
• The drug's development pathway exemplifies successful translational research, moving from laboratory findings to patient care.

Conclusions:

• Cemiplimab represents a significant advancement in the treatment of advanced and metastatic cSCC.
• The translational journey of cemiplimab underscores the importance of integrating research and clinical practice for novel cancer therapies.