Dermatology Practical & Conceptual (Oct 2021)

Immunotherapy and Systemic Treatment of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

  • Nader Aboul-Fettouh,
  • Daniel Morse,
  • Jigar Patel,
  • Michael R. Migden

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.11S2a169S
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. S2

Abstract

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Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) represent one of the most diagnosed non-melanoma skin cancers and its incidence is increasing globally. Whereas early stage and low risk cSCC is typically treated with surgery, and in some cases other localized therapeutic modalities, locally advanced or metastatic cSCC is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality that requires a different approach to therapy. Therapeutic attempts at treating advanced cSCC include a multi-disciplinary approach with considerations for surgery, radiation, and systemic therapies. In this review, we will discuss the various systemic therapies that have been trialed for advanced cSCC, beginning with the early cytotoxic and platinum-based agents as well as their corresponding limitations. We will then review the targeted approaches using EGFR inhibitors prior to discussing the more recent immunotherapeutics that have shown good tumor responses in this often-lethal disease.

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