Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common skin cancer, affecting about 1.8 million Americans each year. Most cases are cured with surgery or radiation, but advanced or metastatic disease has historically been difficult to treat. Immunotherapy has changed outcomes for people whose cancer has spread or can't be removed.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab and cemiplimab, which help the immune system recognize cancer cells. Studies are exploring combinations with other immunotherapies, targeted drugs that block cancer growth signals, and earlier use of immunotherapy before or after surgery. Researchers are also studying biomarkers that predict which people respond best.
Checkpoint inhibitor combinations
Trials are pairing checkpoint inhibitors with drugs that target different immune pathways or cancer-specific mutations. The goal is better response rates and longer control in advanced disease.
Perioperative immunotherapy
Studies are testing checkpoint inhibitors before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to prevent recurrence. Early results suggest this approach may help people with high-risk localized disease.
Targeted therapy in EGFR
Some squamous cell cancers have high levels of epidermal growth factor receptor. Trials are testing drugs that block this protein, either alone or with immunotherapy.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on disease stage, whether the cancer can be surgically removed, prior treatments, and sometimes biomarker testing of the tumor.
What types of trials are currently open
- Immunotherapy trials — Testing checkpoint inhibitors alone or in combination, usually for advanced or metastatic disease. Most involve intravenous infusions every few weeks.
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing drugs that block specific proteins driving cancer growth, such as EGFR inhibitors. Often studied in combination with immunotherapy.
- Perioperative trials — Testing immunotherapy or other treatments before or after surgery to improve cure rates in high-risk localized cancer.
- Biomarker studies — Analyzing tumor samples to identify which people are most likely to respond to specific treatments.
- Prevention trials — Testing drugs or vaccines to prevent new skin cancers in people who've had multiple squamous cell carcinomas.
Recently added Squamous Cell Carcinoma trials
Testing Whether Skin Cancer Has Spread to Nearby Lymph Nodes
This study is about a type of skin cancer called high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HRcSCC). Although most people with this type of skin cancer are successfully treated, some patients have a higher chance that the cancer will spread to nearby lymph nodes. When this happens, treatment becomes more difficult and the chances of recovery are lower. The aim of this study is to find out whether looking for cancer spread at a very early stage can improve patients' health and survival. The study focuses on the sentinel lymph node, which is the first lymph node that fluid from the skin tumour reaches. If cancer cells begin to spread, this is usually the first place where they are found. By examining this lymph node, doctors may be able to detect cancer spread before it can be seen on scans or felt during a physical examination. A total of 142 participants with high-risk skin cancer who have no signs of cancer spread at the time of diagnosis will take part in this study. Participants will be randomly assigned (like flipping a coin) to one of two groups: Sentinel lymph node biopsy group: Participants will have the usual surgery to remove the skin cancer, together with a small operation to remove the sentinel lymph node. If cancer cells are found in this lymph node, doctors may recommend further treatment, such as surgery to remove additional nearby lymph nodes. Standard care group: Participants will receive the current standard treatment, which includes surgery to remove skin cancer followed by regular follow-up visits. Further treatment will only be given if there are later signs that the cancer has spread. Both groups will receive the same regular follow-up care for five years, including medical examinations and imaging tests to check for any signs that the cancer has returned or spread. Researchers will compare the two groups to determine whether examining the sentinel lymph node helps doctors detect cancer spread earlier, reduces the chance of the cancer returning, and improves long-term survival. The study will also help identify which patients are most likely to benefit from this approach.
Take oral chemotherapy combined with an immune-boosting drug for lung cancer
This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of metronomic oral paclitaxel combined with a PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitor as maintenance therapy in patients with advanced lung cancer whose disease has not progressed after first-line chemoimmunotherapy. The study will include two independently analyzed cohorts. Cohort A will include patients with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer(sqNSCLC), and Cohort B will include patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer(ES-SCLC). All participants will receive oral paclitaxel three times weekly together with the same immune checkpoint inhibitor used during first-line induction therapy, whenever feasible. The primary outcome is progression-free survival. Other outcomes include tumor response, overall survival, adverse events, treatment tolerability, and quality of life. Approximately 107 participants will be enrolled across multiple study centers.
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