Both Libtayo (cemiplimab) and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) have been shown to be beneficial treatment options for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). But could Opdivo (nivolumab) also be an effective therapeutic option? According to Healio, a Phase 2 clinical trial sought to understand the impact of nivolumab on cSCC. 

Altogether, 24 individuals with cSCC – who had not previously received any systemic treatments – enrolled in the Phase 2 CA209-9JC study. The study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of nivolumab within this patient population. Patients received 3mg/kg nivolumab every two weeks until they either reached one year of treatment, their condition progressed, or it reached a level of unacceptable toxicity. 

The findings, which were published in Cancer, highlight that:

• Prior radiation therapy was associated with overall worse outcomes in those with cSCC receiving nivolumab treatment. 
• 1 patient (4.16%) discontinued nivolumab use due to adverse reactions. Outside of this patient, 85.7% of the study group experienced some sort of adverse reaction to treatment. 25% were moderate-to-severe. 
• While there were no complete treatment responses, 14 patients (58.3%) had some sort of partial or objective treatment response. 
• Researchers hypothesize that the median progression-free survival rate will be around 12.7 months, with a median overall survival rate of 20.7 months. However, this has yet to be seen. 

Ultimately, the researchers believe that nivolumab showed promising clinical activity and could provide benefits to patients. 

What is Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC)? 

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. Affecting the middle and outer skin layers, cSCC is characterized by abnormal and accelerated squamous cell growth. While this cancer may occur in various locations around the body, it is often found in areas on the skin with the most sun exposure. Risk factors include tanning bed use, excessive sun exposure, fair skin, a weakened immune system, a history of sunburns, skin cancer, or precancerous skin lesions, and rare genetic diseases like xeroderma pigmentosum. Symptoms of cSCC can include:

• Firm red bumps on the skin
• Anal or genital sores
• Inner mouth sores
• Scaly patches on the lips
• Flat sores 
• A wart that may crust or bleed easily
• New sores forming on old scars