Single-center retrospective study of cemiplimab for locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

Although over 95% of patients presenting with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) are cured with surgery or radiotherapy, a subset develop locally advanced disease and undergo major resection and reconstruction. A retrospective study at The Royal Marsden Hospital (London, UK) evaluated cemiplimab for locally advanced cSCC. Between November 2021 and May 2025, 25 consecutive patients received cemiplimab for ≥ 3 months. The median age was 79 years (range 48-90). The objective response rate was 64%, comprising 11 complete and five partial responses. The median time to clinical response was 3 weeks. Among the 20 patients with operable disease, three (15%) underwent surgical resection for progressive disease with no surgical complications attributable to earlier cemiplimab. In total, 85% of patients avoided surgical intervention. Grade ≥ 3 toxicity occurred in 12% of patients, with one treatment discontinuation. The authors conclude that cemiplimab demonstrated robust activity in real-world patients with advanced cSCC. Salvage surgery appears feasible for patients with disease progression.