Vismodegib shows potential in periocular advanced basal cell carcinoma
Vismodegib, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, holds significant promise in the treatment of periocular locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (POLA-BCC), according to a study that found vismodegib led to a 75% overall response rate among patients, with a median treatment duration of 9 months.
Treatment with vismodegib was found to significantly reduce the need for extensive surgical interventions. Only 43% of patients in the study required adjuvant surgery following vismodegib treatment, and the exenteration rate was as low as 6%.
A range of adverse events were noted, including dysgeusia, muscle spasm, alopecia, weight loss, and decreased appetite.
Reference
Singalavanija T, Ceylanoglu KS, Juntipwong S, et al. Review of Targeted Therapy, Vismodegib, for the Treatment of Periocular Basal Cell Carcinoma. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2023;doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000002464. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37552493.