Dr. Gross on the Investigation of Cemiplimab in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Neil D. Gross, MD, FACS, surgeon-scientist, director, Clinical Research, the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the investigation of cemiplimab (Libtayo) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. 

A phase 2 trial (NCT04154943) evaluated the efficacy of neoadjuvant cemiplimab, as measured by pathologic complete response rate per independent central pathology review, in patients with stage II to IV cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is a common cancer type, and although the majority of patients are successfully treated with surgery alone, others require more extensive surgery and adjuvant radiation, Gross explains. The cumulative effects of additional therapies can pose a problem to a patient’s quality of life when the disease presents in the head and neck area in proximity to structures critical to speech, vision, and hearing, Gross continues.

The goal of investigating cemiplimab in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma was to improve oncologic outcomes and functional outcomes for patients who have the disease presents in a high-risk area, Gross concludes.