Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers- Current and Emerging Checkpoint Inhibitors for Treating Advanced Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas

The incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), including cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (CSCC) and basal cell carcinomas (BCC), is increasing globally. Although these cancers are treatable with surgery or radiotherapy, locally advanced or metastatic forms of these carcinomas are life-threatening, difficult to treat, are not amenable to those standard options, and historically, have had few treatment options. Greater knowledge of the role of the immune system in the development of cancer, and of the role of programmed death-1 (PD-1) in evading immune clearance, has led to the study of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in the management of advanced and metastatic NMSCs. This research has led to the approval of a checkpoint inhibitor as the first treatment specifically for advanced CSCC and the continued development of checkpoint inhibitors for treating advanced BCC. Oncologists need to be aware of what constitutes a thorough diagnostic evaluation and accurate staging of patients to develop more effective individualized, evidence-based management plans. In addition, oncologists need to understand current evidence regarding the use of immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors.

The CME program, Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers: Current and Emerging Checkpoint Inhibitors for Treating Advanced Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinomas, will provide oncologists with current guideline-based diagnostic, staging, and treatment strategies for patients with advanced BCC and CSCC as well as how newly approved and agents in development fit into treatment strategies.

Jointly provided by the Potomac Center for Medical Education and Rockpointe

Nursing credit provided by Amedco

This activity is supported by an independent medical education grant from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc and Sanofi Genzyme.