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Updated: Jul 6, 2025
A Non-invasive Way to Isolate and Phenotype Cells from the Conjunctiva
Published on: July 5, 2017
Use of Cemiplimab, an Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor for Conjunctival Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Kubra Serbest Ceylanoglu1, Anne Eisenberg2, Francis Paul Worden3
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Purpose:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been recently introduced for the treatment of locally unresectable conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma. We present 2 cases with conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) who were treated with ICIs.
Methods:
A report of 2 cases with CIN who were treated with systemic cemiplimab (350 mg IV every 3 weeks).
Results:
A 70-year-old man was treated with cemiplimab for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. The pre-existing CIN continued to progress over the nasal bulbar conjunctiva and cornea, while the other metastatic sites, including parotid glands, and neck lymph nodes showed a complete response after 16 cycles of treatment. An 84-year-old woman had bilateral diffuse CIN involving bulbar and lower eyelid palpebral conjunctiva. Cemiplimab was started because of the extent of involvement. While the bulk of CIN was reduced, it progressed over the cornea and forniceal conjunctiva on OU after 10 cycles of treatment. Excisional biopsies of conjunctival lesions after cemiplimab confirmed CIN in both patients.
Conclusions:
Although conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma tumors are reported to be highly responsive to ICIs, a similar effect has not been observed in 2 patients with CIN. Further studies are needed to evaluate ICIs in the management of CIN.
