Medical Crossfire®: PD-L1 Inhibition in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma — Mechanistic Rationale and Clinical Application

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Episode Description

In this podcast, experts April K.S. Salama, MD; Omid Hamid, MD; James M.G. Larkin, MD, PhD; and Sapna Patel, MD; discuss the data for immune checkpoint inhibitors used to treat advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, including a review of PD-1 versus PD-L1 inhibition.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this activity, you should be better prepared to:

• Evaluate the latest efficacy and safety findings from key trials assessing immune checkpoint inhibitors as monotherapy or in combination regimens for the treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC)
• Assess the mechanistic and clinical differences between PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors used for the management of advanced cSCC
• Incorporate patient- and disease-specific characteristics into individualized treatment plans using immunotherapy for advanced cSCC

Acknowledgment of Educational Grant Support

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.

Chair:

April K.S. Salama, MD

Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Melanoma Program
Duke Cancer Institute
Duke University School of Medicine
Durham, NC

Disclosures: Advisor, Consultant, Speaker, Honoraria Recipient: Bristol Myers Squibb, Delcath, IDEAYA, Immunocore, Natera, Pfizer, Regeneron; Grant/Research Funding: Ascentage, Bristol Myers Squibb, IDEAYA, Immunocore, Merck, Olatec Therapeutics, Replimune, Regeneron, Seagen

Faculty:

Omid Hamid, MD

Chief, Translational Research and Immunotherapy
Director, Melanoma Therapeutics
The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, a Cedars-Sinai Affiliate
Director, Cutaneous Malignancies
Cancer Director of Experimental Therapeutics
Cedars Sinai
Los Angeles, CA

Disclosures: Advisor, Consultant, Speaker, Honoraria Recipient: Alkermes, Amgen, BeiGene, BioAtla, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eisai, Ellipses, Georgiamune, GigaGen, Grit Bio, GSK, Idera, Immunocore, Incyte, Instil Bio, IO Bio, Iovance, Janssen, KSQ, Merck, Moderna, NGM Bio, Novartis, Obsidian, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche Genentech, Sun Pharma, Tempus, Vial, Zelluna; Grant/Research Funding: Aduro, Akeso, Amgen, Arcus, BioAtla, Bristol Myers Squibb, CytomX, Exelixis, Roche, GSK, Immunocore, Idera, Incyte, Iovance, Merck, Moderna, NextCure, Novartis, Pfizer

James M.G. Larkin, MD, PhD

Consultant Medical Oncologist
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
London, UK

Disclosures: Advisor, Consultant, Speaker, Honoraria Recipient: Apple Tree, Aptitude, AstraZeneca, Boston Biomedical, Bristol Myers Squibb, Calithera, Cancer Research UK, Dynavax, ecancer, Eisai, Ervaxx, EUSA Pharma, GSK, Immunocore, Incyte, iOnctura, Iovance, Ipsen, Merck, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis, Pfizer, Pierre Fabre, Roche, Seagen, touchEXPERTS, touchIME, Ultimovacs, YKT Global; Grant/Research Funding: Achilles Therapeutics, AVEO, Bristol Myers Squibb, Covance, Immunocore, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Nektar Therapeutics, The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and The Institute of Cancer Research, Novartis, Pfizer, Pharmacyclics, Roche

Sapna Patel, MD

Professor of Medicine and Ophthalmology
Dr William Robinson Endowed Chair in Cancer Research
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, CO

Disclosures: Advisor, Consultant, Speaker, Honoraria Recipient: Daiichi Sankyo, IO Biotech, Medison, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Natera, Novartis, Obsidian, Pfizer, Replimune, Scancell, TriSalus Life Sciences, Veda Trials; Grant/Research Funding: 7 Hills, Immatics, iOnctura, Iovance, Linnaeus, Replimune

Faculty, Staff, and Planners’ Disclosures

In accordance with ACCME Guidelines, PER^® has identified and resolved all conflict of interest for faculty, staff, and planners prior to the start of this activity by using a multistep process.

The staff of Physicians’ Education Resource^®, LLC have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

This podcast, including the narration, was developed by PER^® editorial staff based on an online activity developed with these faculty. The narration was voiced by a PER staff member or by an AI tool.

To learn more about this topic, including information on adjuvant immunotherapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, go to https://www.gotoper.com/ime26mxfcscc-activity.

Release Date

April 15, 2026

Expiration Date

April 15, 2027

Off-Label Disclosure and Disclaimer

This activity may or may not discuss investigational, unapproved, or off-label use of drugs. Learners are advised to consult prescribing information for any products discussed. The information provided in this accredited activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent clinical judgment of a health care professional relative to diagnostic, treatment, or management options for a specific patient’s medical condition. The opinions expressed in the content are solely those of the individual faculty members and do not reflect those of PER^® or any company that provided commercial support for this activity.