Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin: Drug Therapy

Therapeutic target

Improvement of prognosis

Therapy recommendations

Note: Whether adjuvant radiotherapy is necessary for high-risk PEK excised in healthy individuals is considered controversial. Randomized trials on this question are lacking.

Agents (main indication)

Cytostatic agents

The following agents are used:

  • Methotrexate
  • Cisplatin* + 5-fluorouracil; alternatively, monotherapy with 5-FU; if necessary + radiotherapy (radiotherapy, radiatio).

* Response rates of > 50%.

Monoclonal antibodies

  • EGFR inhibitors (EGFR: “epidermal growth factor receptor”; e.g., cetuximab) [= targeted therapy; response rates: 25-45%] or
  • Immune checkpoint blockers [immunotherapy: e.g., antibodies against PD-1 (nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and cemiplimab* )]Mode of action: Binding of PD-L1 ligand to tumor cells of the PEK of the skin suppresses the cytotoxic activity of T cells against this target.

* The FDA has assigned cemiplimab special “breakthrough therapy” status (response rates of 47-50%).

No dosing information is provided here because therapy regimens are constantly changing.