Basal Cell Carcinoma: An Old Friend with Multiple Faces.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Oncology

Background:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer, with varied subtypes.
• While most BCCs are treatable with local therapies, locally advanced (laBCC) and metastatic (mBCC) forms present significant challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current understanding of BCC subtypes and risk stratification.
• To explore emerging treatments for laBCC and mBCC, focusing on immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing current research on BCC.
• Analysis of treatment strategies including surgery, local therapies, hedgehog inhibitors (HHIs), immunotherapy, and chemotherapy.
• Focus on therapeutic challenges in laBCC and mBCC.

Main Results:

• Recent advances in HHIs and immunotherapy have improved outcomes for advanced BCC.
• Chemotherapy, including platinum-based agents, has limited efficacy but remains an option.
• Resistance and intolerance to current treatments necessitate alternative approaches.

Conclusions:

• Further immunotherapy and combination therapies (immunotherapy with targeted therapy) are promising.
• Effective management of laBCC and mBCC requires a comprehensive understanding of emerging treatment options.
• Risk stratification and subtype characterization are crucial for personalized treatment of BCC.