Dr. Stratigos the Rationale to Evaluate Cemiplimab in Locally Advanced BCC

Alexander J. Stratigos, MD, associate professor, Dermatology-Venereology, Department of Dermatology, University of Athens Medical School, discusses the rationale to evaluate cemiplimab-rwlc (Libtayo) in locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

During the 2020 ESMO Virtual Congress, findings from the primary analysis of a global phase 2 trial (NCT03132636) demonstrated significant clinical benefit with cemiplimab in patients with locally advanced BCC who progressed on or were intolerant of hedgehog inhibitors.

Currently, there are no approved treatment options for patients with locally advanced or metastatic BCC beyond hedgehog inhibitors, explains Stratigos.

In September 2018, the FDA approved cemiplimab, a PD-1 inhibitor, for the treatment of patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) or those with locally advanced CSCC who are not eligible for curative surgery or radiation.

With the CSCC experience, as well as anecdotal evidence of efficacy with cemiplimab in BCC, there was strong clinical rationale to evaluate the agent in BCC, concludes Stratigos.