Navigating the Future of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC): An Expert Discussion on Modern Immunotherapy - Episode 13
Panelists discuss ongoing clinical trials evaluating adjuvant immunotherapy for cSCC and the implications of early outcomes for clinical practice.
Panelists provide an overview of key ongoing trials designed to determine whether adjuvant immune checkpoint blockade can reduce recurrence and metastasis rates following complete surgical treatment of cSCC. These studies include both global phase 3 programs and investigator-initiated efforts that compare immunotherapy to standard observation or radiation alone.
They highlight that initial findings demonstrate prolonged recurrence-free survival, particularly in patients with nodal involvement or deeply invasive disease. The safety profiles appear consistent with established experience in advanced settings, suggesting feasibility for broader application in postoperative care. Importantly, trials are now incorporating patient-reported outcomes and health-related quality-of-life measures to assess the broader impact of therapy beyond recurrence metrics.
In conclusion, the panel notes that these studies may redefine the postoperative landscape for high-risk cSCC. Pending confirmatory results, adjuvant immunotherapy is poised to become an important addition to multidisciplinary treatment algorithms aimed at achieving long-term remission.