Key Takeaways for Community Oncologists and Dermatologists

Dr Dunn delivers key takeaways for community oncologists and dermatologists managing advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. She emphasizes that checkpoint blockade is highly effective in locally advanced disease when cure with surgery and/or radiation is unlikely or when those treatments would carry substantial morbidity, and is especially relevant for extensive disease, satellite lesions, or in-transit metastases where tumor boundaries are unclear. She urges dermatologists to refer such patients to oncologists before operating, and notes that neoadjuvant use rests on compendium listing rather than FDA approval. On agent selection, Dr Dunn states that response rates and durability appear comparable across cemiplimab, pembrolizumab, and cosibelimab absent head-to-head data, while the favorable toxicity profile of cosibelimab remains intriguing and warrants longer follow-up. Dr In closes by noting that cosibelimab may prove preferable for frailer patients, though more data are needed to confirm superior tolerability.