Pharmacologic treatment options for advanced epithelial skin cancer

Abstract

Vismodegib, a Hedgehog (Hh) inhibitor, was recently approved for the treatment of advanced BCC showing a good efficacy rate and a relatively well-tolerated safety profile in clinical studies. In addition, a number of hedgehog inhibitors are now in Phase I and II trials of advanced BCC demonstrating encouraging results. Phase II studies with epithelial growth factor receptor inhibitors, such as cetuximab, gefitinib, panitimumab and erlotinib have been conducted in patients with advanced SCCs, used either as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy. However, there is still much knowledge to be gained about the treatment efficacies, optimal treatment durations, mechanisms of drug tolerance, adverse events and the ways in which these therapies influence patient outcomes and quality of life.

Anti-Proliferative Effects of Piroxicam and Nimesulide on A431 Human Squamous Carcinoma Cell Line

“…Some chemotherapeutic agents have been used to treat SCC such as cisplatin, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, vincristine and bleomycin. Unfortunately, these drugs target all cells with high proliferation rate in the body like bone marrow and hair follicles and cause many significant side effects (5). Other drugs have been demonstrated to have anti-proliferative properties in cancer cells in addition to their conventional therapeutic effects including some antibiotics like doxycycline and ciprofloxacin, some herbal extracts and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”

Vismodegib persistence and discontinuation patterns in Greek patients from a real world setting

“…These treatments have provided acceptable results and present an excellent option for patients with inoperable tumors (Soura, Chasapi, & Stratigos, 2015). These treatments have provided acceptable results and present an excellent option for patients with inoperable tumors (Soura, Chasapi, & Stratigos, 2015).…”

“…These treatments have provided acceptable results and present an excellent option for patients with inoperable tumors (Soura, Chasapi, & Stratigos, 2015). In addition, a number of patients may experience loss of efficacy and tumor recurrence after initial response (Soura et al, 2015). In addition, a number of patients may experience loss of efficacy and tumor recurrence after initial response (Soura et al, 2015).…”

Can hair re‐growth be considered an early clinical marker of treatment resistance to Hedgehog inhibitors in patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma? A report of two cases

“…Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is considered as the most common skin malignancy in patients with fair skin. BCCs are usually associated with a good prognosis and a low metastatic potential . However, a small subset of patients present with large neglected BCCs or tumours resistant to conventional treatment that have progressed to locally advanced BCC.…”

“…The most common adverse events associated with the use of Hedgehog inhibitors include alopecia, muscle cramps and dysgeusia, among others. It has been reported that about 58–64% of patients receiving Hedgehog inhibitor treatment for aBCC develop severe hair loss (>50% of the scalp area) . Vismodegib was reported as having the highest overall incidence of all‐grade alopecia compared to the other treatments (56.9% of patients) in a recent meta‐analysis .…”