Oral ulcers and sarcoid-like reaction in lymph nodes after cemiplimab therapy for locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a case report

Einstein (Sao Paulo). 2022 Mar 7:20:eRC6367. doi: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2022RC6367. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Cemiplimab is a novel programmed death-1 inhibitor recently approved for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Immune-related adverse events derived from cemiplimab are similar to other anti-PD-1 drugs, including gastrointestinal and cutaneous toxicities. Oral immune-related adverse events were not reported with cemiplimab in previous studies; thus this case report warns of the fact that the oral cavity may be a site of immune-related adverse events during programmed death-1 block therapy and that this can lead to significant limitations when not properly treated. The present report describes the case of a patient with locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to cervical lymph nodes who developed dysphagia due to large and painful oral ulcers after a single dose of cemiplimab. The patient also exhibited a sarcoid-like reaction in mediastinal lymph nodes. No immune-related adverse events were found in any other organs. The oral lesions showed significant improvement after topical and short-course systemic corticosteroids, and low-level laser therapy was also performed in the oral lesions. The patient achieved a near-complete response and treatment was discontinued. This article discusses in detail the clinical outcomes and oral toxicity management of cemiplimab therapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes
  • Oral Ulcer*
  • Skin Neoplasms* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • cemiplimab