Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Managing Advanced Disease in the Era of Immunotherapy

Most cases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), a common cancer, are recognized early and treated successfully with surgery. A small percentage of patients develop advanced or metastatic disease, in which case data to guide treatments are sparse and management depends on a patient’s level of disability and comorbidities. Because patients with de novo or post-surgical advanced or metastatic cSCC are rare, oncologists aren’t always acquainted with pathophysiology, recommendations for diagnostic evaluations, disease staging, management strategies, or agents in clinical trials. Research is contributing to a greater understanding of tumor molecular markers (e.g. overexpression of EGFR) and the role of the programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway, and has led to the use of targeted agents and the first FDA-approved agent (a PD-1 inhibitor) to treat advanced and metastatic cSCC.

This activity will help clinicians recognize and thoroughly evaluate and stage patients with cSCC who are at high risk of advanced or metastatic disease. Participants should then be able to use this information, in conjunction with expert recommendations and the multidisciplinary team, to develop treatment plans. Up-to-date knowledge of cSCC pathophysiology, including the role of mutations, EGFR overexpression, and the immune system, will give clinicians an understanding of where newly approved and in-development agents fit in treatment strategies.