Multimodality Therapy for Locally Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Therapeutic options for locally advanced or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma were previously very limited and not standardized. With the approval of the monoclonal antibody cemiplimab, which targets the programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1), the prognosis of affected patients has improved significantly, and in some cases sustained complete remission can be achieved.This case report describes a multimorbid, 81-year-old patient who was initially treated with cemiplimab due to extensive squamous cell carcinoma frontoparietal with cranial dome infiltration and invasion intracranially. Immune-mediated side effects did not occur. With clinical and radiologic remission, in an interdisciplinary collaboration the residual finding was surgically resected, and the defective cranial dome was reconstructed. Histologically, pathological complete remission of squamous cell carcinoma was demonstrated. At 6 months postoperatively, there was no evidence of local recurrence or metastasis.This case exemplifies a patient who, despite his advanced age and co-morbidities, benefited from initiated immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Furthermore, it shows the relevance of an interdisciplinary/multimodal therapy regime in the management of this tumor entity, which is increasing in incidence.