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Review
. 2024 Sep;26(9):1120-1133.
doi: 10.1007/s11912-024-01570-1. Epub 2024 Jul 2.

Systemic Therapy for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: Latest Advances

Spencer Lessans  1 , Katie A O'Connell  2 , Jennifer Choe  3
Affiliations
Review

Systemic Therapy for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: Latest Advances

Spencer Lessans et al. Curr Oncol Rep. 2024 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review provides an update on approved and emerging systemic therapies in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-melanoma skin cancers (squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma).

Recent findings: Many studies demonstrate the effectiveness of immunotherapy for all types of non-melanoma skin cancer. For basal cell carcinoma (BCC), hedgehog inhibitors (HHI) remain first-line but with poor tolerability. Numerous clinical trials studying both neoadjuvant and adjuvant use of anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 therapies in advanced NMSC are under investigation. There is a growing number of systemic therapies available to treat non-melanoma skin cancers. The advent of immunotherapy has revolutionized the field and greatly improved survival compared to historical survival rates with cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; Immunotherapy; Merkel cell carcinoma; Neoadjuvant; Squamous cell carcinoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Spencer Lessans and Katie O’Connell declare no conflict of interest. Jennifer Choe has served on scientific advisory boards and/or receives institutional research funding for Merck Sharpe & Dohme, Regeneron, Coherus Biosciences, Eisei, and Exelixis.

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