Supraorbital Basosquamous Carcinoma Treated with Cemiplimab Followed by Sonidegib: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Biomedicines. 2023 Oct 26;11(11):2903. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines11112903.

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a skin cancer with low local aggressiveness and a low tendency to metastasize. Basosquamous Carcinoma (BSC) represents an aggressive histological subtype of BCC with intermediate features between Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) and BCC. Cemiplimab is currently approved as first-line therapy in SCC and second-line therapy in BCC patients who have progressed on or are intolerant of a Hedgehog pathway Inhibitor (HHI). Our study describes the case of a 59-year-old man with BSC who was successfully treated with 5 cycles of Cemiplimab as first-line therapy and Sonidegib as second-line therapy. Currently, the efficacy of Cemiplimab against BSC and other histopathological subtypes of BCC has not been fully elucidated, as has the role of sequential or combination therapy with Cemiplimab and HHI in the management of BSC. The aim of this case report is to highlight the need to outline the use of checkpoint inhibitors in BCCs and focus attention on the synergistic role of Cemiplimab and HHIs in such a controversial entity as BSC.

Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; Cemiplimab; Sonidegib; Squamous Cell Carcinoma; basosquamous carcinoma; hedgehog inhibitors; immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports