Cemiplimab Shows Promising Results in Refractory cSCC Patients

New research suggests cemiplimab is safe and effective in patients with refractory locally advanced (LA) and metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). 

Researchers for the retrospective single-center Canadian study sought to characterize the real-world use of cemiplimab in patients with refractory LA and metastatic cSCC. The study included 40 patients, 16 (40%) presenting with LA disease and 24 (60%) with metastatic disease. The median duration of treatment was 3.5 months (range: 0.6 to 29.4 months). 

Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the median overall survival (OS) was not reached. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 11.5 months (95% CI, 7.0 months-NR). Adverse events occurred in 25% of patients, with 15% discontinuing treatment due to disease progression.

"The 12 month estimates of OS and PFS were lower than pivotal phase I and II clinical trials," the authors wrote. "However, toxicity was tolerable. Cemiplimab remains a safe and effective therapy in patients with refractory LA and metastatic cSCC disease."

Source: Sturm S, et al. Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2024. Doi:10.1177/120347542412656