Neoadjuvant Therapy for Non-melanoma Skin Cancer: Updated Therapeutic Approaches for Basal, Squamous, and Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Opinion statement Recently introduced systemic therapies for locally advanced and metastatic non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are paving the way for neoadjuvant approach. Although none of the therapeutic options has currently gained indication in this setting, neoadjuvant approach for NMSCs is an open field and we are likely to see huge developments in the near future. Targeted therapy with sonic hedgehog pathway inhibitors is very effective in locally advanced or multiple basal cell carcinomas while immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors appears to be promising for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. To date, targeted therapy and immunotherapy represent the frontiers in NMSC therapeutic management and, according to recent studies, good results can be achieved.

Automated summary

Newly introduced systemic therapies for locally advanced and metastatic non-melanoma skin cancers are opening up the possibility of neoadjuvant approaches. Targeted therapy with sonic hedgehog pathway inhibitors has shown effectiveness in certain types of NMSCs, while immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors holds promise for others. Both targeted therapy and immunotherapy represent the leading edge of NMSC therapeutic management, with recent studies showing positive results.