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Published in: Current Treatment Options in Oncology 5/2020

01-05-2020 | Melanoma | Head and Neck Cancer (CP Rodriguez, Section Editor)

Recent and Emerging Therapies for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Head and Neck

Authors: Vamsi Varra, BS, Timothy D. Smile, MD, Jessica L. Geiger, MD, Shlomo A. Koyfman, MD

Published in: Current Treatment Options in Oncology | Issue 5/2020

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Opinion statement

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the head and neck is typically managed with Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) for cosmetic reasons. MMS also improves oncologic outcomes for high-risk tumors. Patients with certain high-risk subsets of the disease also benefit from adjuvant radiation therapy. The PD-1 inhibitor, cemiplimab, was recently approved for treatment of locally advanced and metastatic cSCC unamenable to curative surgery or radiation therapy after the drug demonstrated encouraging, durable response rates. Cemiplimab and other systemic immunotherapies are now being evaluated in clinical trials in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings as well. Localized immunotherapies are also being studied, including oncolytic viruses such as talimogene laherparepvec, a modified herpes simplex virus previously approved for the treatment of advanced cutaneous melanoma. Most importantly, multidisciplinary care is crucial in optimizing outcomes for patients with high-risk cSCC of the head and neck.
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Metadata
Title
Recent and Emerging Therapies for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Head and Neck
Authors
Vamsi Varra, BS
Timothy D. Smile, MD
Jessica L. Geiger, MD
Shlomo A. Koyfman, MD
Publication date
01-05-2020
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Treatment Options in Oncology / Issue 5/2020
Print ISSN: 1527-2729
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6277
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-020-00739-7

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