Cemiplimab or other programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor treatment shows promise for locally advanced or metastatic basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), according to a case study published online July 7 in JAMA Dermatology.

Konstantin Dumann, M.D., from the University Hospital Leipzig in Germany, and colleagues describe a man in his early 80s who presented with a locally advanced ulcerated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) on the left temple that was infiltrating the temporal muscle and two pulmonary metastases. The patient also had two larger histology-proven infiltrative BCCs on the right nasolabial fold and upper back. The advanced, inoperable cSCC was treated with the PD-1 inhibitor cemiplimab, 350 mg, every three weeks based on an interdisciplinary tumor board decision.

The researchers found that after two cycles, there was partial remission of the cSCC, and the BCCs improved. The cSCC resolved after eight cycles and six months of treatment; three months later, there was complete remission of the pulmonary metastases. Both BCCs regressed completely to residual scars after one year and 12 cycles of cemiplimab. No treatment-associated adverse events were observed. The patient elected to stop receiving therapy after 14 cycles of cemiplimab and was still in complete remission four months after discontinuation.

"In this older patient population, a manageable number of treatment cycles might be sufficient for tumor control and might restore good quality of life," the authors write.

Two authors disclosed financial ties to Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH; Sanofi manufactures cemiplimab.

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