Activity of platinum and cetuximab in cutaneous squamous cell cancer not amenable to curative treatment

BACKGROUND: Unresectable or metastatic cutaneous squamous cell cancers (cSCCs) are rare but potentially life-threatening diseases. In this setting, systemic therapy has a palliative intent with limited benefit, but there is no established consensus regarding the proper management of this tumour. This retrospective study aimed to review outcomes in patients with non-curable cSCC treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and cetuximab. METHODS: We considered 12 consecutive patients treated between June 2010 and March 2016. All patients had received previous treatment for the local disease. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 50%, and the disease control rate was 67%. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 6.6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9–8.4) and 14.6 (95% CI: 9.4–20.1) months, respectively. The median duration of response was 4.8 months (95% CI: 1.2–5.9). The most frequent toxicities were skin reactions (58%; grade 3: 25%) and anaemia (10%). No grade 4 toxicities were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Cetuximab and platinum-based chemotherapy were shown to be feasible and active in cSCC, with an acceptable toxicity profile, even if with a limited duration of response.