In phase 2 study, about half of patients with resectable stage II to IV cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma had pathological complete response<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
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MONDAY, Sept. 12, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Fifty-one percent of patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy with cemiplimab for resectable stage II, III, or IV (M0) cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma had a pathological complete response, according to a study published online Sept. 12 in the New England Journal of Medicine<\/em> to coincide with the annual meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology, held from Sept. 9 to 13 in Paris.<\/p>\n Neil D. Gross, M.D., from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and colleagues conducted a phase 2 multicenter, nonrandomized study to examine cemiplimab as neoadjuvant therapy prior to surgery with curative intent in patients with resectable stage II, III, or IV (M0) cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.<\/p>\n The researchers found that on independent review, 40 patients (51 percent) had a pathological complete response and 10 patients (13 percent) had a pathological major response. These results were consistent with the investigator assessment-determined pathological responses. In 54 patients (68 percent), an objective response was observed on imaging. Sixty-nine patients (87 percent) had adverse events of any grade, regardless of whether they were attributed to study treatment. During the study period, 14 patients (18 percent) had grade 3 or higher adverse events.<\/p>\n “The potential for function-preserving surgery, together with the high frequency of a pathological complete response, supports the use of neoadjuvant therapy with cemiplimab in this patient population,” the authors write.<\/p>\n The study was funded by Regeneron and Sanofi, the manufacturers of cemiplimab.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n