Pembrolizumab adjuvant therapy for locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Pembrolizumab is in development for the adjuvant treatment of patients with high-risk locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) following surgery and radiotherapy. cSCC is a type of skin cancer that develops in the outermost layer of the skin. Certain factors can increase an individual’s risk of developing cSCC, such as exposure to the sun, fair skin, history of sunburn, and immune conditions. Because of this, cSCC is usually present on areas of skin that are commonly exposed to the sun, such as the head, neck, and forearms. Locally advanced cSCC can appear raised and rough as well as having the tendency to bleed easily and cause disfiguration. Locally advanced means that the tumour has spread to the deeper layers of skin or nearby lymph nodes and as a result there are limited treatment options. Adjuvant therapies are given to patients following surgery and radiotherapy to reduce the risk of the cancer returning.