Immunosuppression in CSCC and BCC Treatment

EP: 1.Prevalence of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CSCC) & Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

EP: 2.Immunotherapy Landscape in cSCC and BCC

EP: 3.Immunotherapy and Radiation Therapy in cSCC and BCC

EP: 4.Immunotherapy Barriers: Multidisciplinary Approach in cSCC and BCC

EP: 5.Coordination of Care: Interdisciplinary Immunotherapy Challenges in Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

EP: 6.Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Best Practices for CSCC and BCC Management

EP: 7.Dermatologists and Immunotherapy: Managing Patient Expectations

EP: 8.Monitoring Immunotherapy Toxicities in CSCC and BCC

EP: 9.Staging Disease and Risk Stratification in CSCC and BCC

EP: 10.Targeted Therapy: Hedgehog Inhibitors in BCC

EP: 11.Socioeconomic Implications of CSCC and BCC

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EP: 12.Immunosuppression in CSCC and BCC Treatment

EP: 13.Updates in Therapeutics for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

EP: 14.Concluding Thoughts on the Future of CSCC and BCC Care

This is a video synopsis/summary of a Peer Exchange involving Jason Luke, MD, FACP; Christopher Barker, MD; Omid Hamid, MD; Vishal Patel, MD; and Catherine Pisano, MD.

Patel identified immunocompromised patients, who experience high skin cancer burden but were excluded from immunotherapy trials, as having the greatest unmet need. He advised adapting melanoma combination/sequencing strategies to optimize care. While checkpoint inhibitor efficacy is impressive, some patients still progress on therapy. Thus, elucidating proper timing, dosing, and regimens to limit toxicity while maximizing quality responses is needed to expand utility. Luke asked Pisano and Barker about intratumoral and radiation approaches in ineligible immunosuppressed patients. Pisano cited early data on intratumoral immunotherapy combinations that may ultimately expand options beyond systemic therapy. Barker reviewed preclinical data suggesting radiation is less effective in immunocompromised hosts, which may translate into higher failure rates clinically. While dose escalation could help overcome this, advances in delivery like alpha emitters and flash radiation may better enhance local effects without excessive toxicity in these high-risk patients. Luke concluded that despite an absence of data, checkpoint blockade may be utilized as life-extending palliative therapy following appropriate informed consent.

Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by AJMC® editorial staff.