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Systemic Therapy for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: Latest Advances

Spencer Lessans1, Katie A O'Connell2, Jennifer Choe3

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.

Current Oncology Reports
|July 2, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Systemic therapies, including immunotherapy, are revolutionizing non-melanoma skin cancer treatment. These advancements offer improved survival for advanced skin cancers like squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) encompass squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma.
  • Advanced or metastatic NMSC historically had limited treatment options and poor prognoses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review approved and emerging systemic therapies for advanced or metastatic non-melanoma skin cancers.
  • To highlight recent advancements in the treatment landscape of NMSC.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of systemic therapies for locally advanced or metastatic NMSC.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data and approved treatments.

Main Results:

  • Immunotherapy has shown significant effectiveness across all NMSC types, revolutionizing treatment outcomes.
  • Hedgehog inhibitors (HHI) are first-line for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) but have tolerability issues.
  • Anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 therapies are under investigation for neoadjuvant and adjuvant use in advanced NMSC.

Conclusions:

  • Systemic therapies, particularly immunotherapy, have dramatically improved survival rates for advanced NMSC.
  • Ongoing research continues to expand the therapeutic arsenal for NMSC treatment.
Keywords:
Basal cell carcinomaImmunotherapyMerkel cell carcinomaNeoadjuvantSquamous cell carcinoma

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