Histologic Changes During Treatment With Vismodegib in Locally Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Series of 19 Cases.

BACKGROUND: There are no large series describing cutaneous histologic changes during treatment with vismodegib in locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC). OBJECTIVE: To analyze histologic changes in skin biopsy specimens from patients with locally advanced BCC treated with vismodegib. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study of patients with locally advanced BCC treated with vismodegib between June 2012 and December 2017 at the Instituto Valenciano de Oncología, Spain. Nineteen patients were biopsied before and during the treatment with vismodegib, and we compared histologic changes observed. RESULTS: Seven patients (37%) achieved complete response, which was characterized by replacement of tumor stroma with a hyaline scar, lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate, keratin formation, and infundibular cysts. Twelve patients (63%) achieved partial response; 5 showed no phenotypic changes, whereas 7 showed histologic changes; 5 cases showed metatypical differentiation; and 2 cases presented squamous differentiation. We observed no cases of squamous cell carcinoma arising at vismodegib treatment sites and no association between initial histologic subtype and clinical response. LIMITATIONS: Many biopsy specimens were obtained by punch biopsy and may not be representative of the full tumors. We studied histologic changes only in complete and partial responses. CONCLUSION: Vismodegib can induce histologic changes toward metatypical or squamous differentiation of BCC in patients with partial response. Keratinizing phenomena were frequent, both in partial and complete response groups.

Experiencia con vismodegib en carcinoma basocelular avanzado en un centro oncológico / Experience With Vismodegib in the Treatment of Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma at a Cancer Center

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: Vismodegib es el primer inhibidor selectivo de la vía de la señalización Hedgehog aprobado para el tratamiento del carcinoma basocelular (CBC) localmente avanzado y metastásico. Describimos nuestra experiencia en un centro oncológico con el vismodegib en el tratamiento de pacientes con CBC avanzados y/o múltiples durante un periodo de 5 años. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Analizamos variables como la edad y el sexo del paciente, la localización, el tamaño, el tipo y las características del tumor, el tiempo de evolución, si son tumores primarios o recidivas, la duración del tratamiento, la respuesta a este (completa, parcial, estabilización o ausencia de respuesta), los efectos secundarios observados y las recidivas. RESULTADOS: Un total de 22 pacientes fueron tratados, 20 con CBC localmente avanzados y 2 con CBC metastásicos con afectación ganglionar. El tratamiento fue administrado durante 11,8 meses de media. El 41% (9) de los pacientes obtuvieron una respuesta completa al tratamiento, un 45% (10) respuesta parcial y en el 14% (3) de los pacientes el tratamiento consiguió estabilizar la enfermedad. Tras una mediana de 21 meses, 2 casos recidivaron. Los principales efectos secundarios observados fueron disgeusia, alopecia y calambres musculares, todos ellos de carácter leve. Ningún paciente desarrolló un carcinoma epidermoide sobre el área tratada con vismodegib, aunque sí cambios metatípicos tras el tratamiento. CONCLUSIONES: El vismodegib es un fármaco seguro y eficaz para el tratamiento del CBC localmente avanzado, con un porcentaje de respuesta del 86%. Los efectos adversos deben tenerse en cuenta por su alta frecuencia, aunque estos suelen ser de carácter leve

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Vismodegib is the first selective Hedgehog inhibitor approved for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In this article, we describe our experience with the use of this drug to treat advanced and/or multiple BCCs at a cancer center over 5 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the following variables: patient age and sex; tumor location, size, type, and characteristics; time since onset; primary or recurrent status; duration of treatment; response to treatment (complete, partial, stabilization, or absence of response); adverse effects; and recurrences. RESULTS: We treated 22 patients, of whom 20 had locally advanced BCCs and 2 had metastatic BCCs with lymph node involvement. The treatment was administered over a mean of 11.8 months. Nine patients (41%) achieved complete response and 10 (45%) partial response. The disease was stabilized in 3 (14%). Two patients relapsed after a median of 21 months. The main adverse effects were dysgeusia, alopecia, and muscle cramps, all of which were mild. None of the patients developed squamous cell carcinoma in an area treated with vismodegib, although metatypical changes were observed after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: With a response rate of 96%, vismodegib is a safe and effective treatment for locally advanced BCC. Adverse effects are generally mild but they need to be taken into account owing to their high frequency

Experience With Vismodegib in the Treatment of Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma at a Cancer Center. / Experiencia con vismodegib en carcinoma basocelular avanzado en un centro oncológico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Vismodegib is the first selective Hedgehog inhibitor approved for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In this article, we describe our experience with the use of this drug to treat advanced and/or multiple BCCs at a cancer center over 5 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the following variables: patient age and sex; tumor location, size, type, and characteristics; time since onset; primary or recurrent status; duration of treatment; response to treatment (complete, partial, stabilization, or absence of response); adverse effects; and recurrences. RESULTS: We treated 22 patients, of whom 20 had locally advanced BCCs and 2 had metastatic BCCs with lymph node involvement. The treatment was administered over a mean of 11.8 months. Nine patients (41%) achieved complete response and 10 (45%) partial response. The disease was stabilized in 3 (14%). Two patients relapsed after a median of 21 months. The main adverse effects were dysgeusia, alopecia, and muscle cramps, all of which were mild. None of the patients developed squamous cell carcinoma in an area treated with vismodegib, although metatypical changes were observed after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: With a response rate of 96%, vismodegib is a safe and effective treatment for locally advanced BCC. Adverse effects are generally mild but they need to be taken into account owing to their high frequency.

Tratamiento con imiquimod al 5% durante 12 días para las queratosis actínicas: estudio de la eficacia y la reacción local / A 12-Day Course of Imiquimod 5% for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis: Effectiveness and Local Reactions

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: El imiquimod es un excelente tratamiento para las queratosis actínicas, sin embargo, su pauta prolongada de 4 semanas y la reacción local que produce pueden limitar su utilización. Los objetivos del estudio son demostrar la eficacia del imiquimod al 5% para las queratosis actínicas aplicado en una pauta continuada de 12 días y correlacionar el grado de reacción local con la eficacia. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron pacientes con al menos 8 queratosis actínicas que se trataron con imiquimod en crema al 5% durante 12 días seguidos. Se evaluó la reacción local como leve, moderada o intensa. El estudio estadístico de la correlación entre la reacción local y la respuesta clínica se realizó con la prueba χ2 de Pearson y el test de correlación rho de Spearman. RESULTADOS: Un total de 65 pacientes completaron el estudio. Se obtuvo un 52,3% de respuestas completas y un 75,4% de respuestas parciales. Encontramos una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el grado de reacción local y la respuesta al tratamiento tanto en la prueba χ2 de Pearson como en el test de correlación rho de Spearman. CONCLUSIONES: La pauta continuada de imiquimod al 5% aplicado durante 12 días es eficaz para el tratamiento de las queratosis actínicas. El grado de reacción local durante el tratamiento se correlaciona con la respuesta clínica

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Imiquimod is an excellent option for patients with actinic keratosis, although its use may be limited by the long course of treatment required (4 weeks) and the likelihood of local skin reactions. The objectives of the present study were to demonstrate the effectiveness of a 12-day course of imiquimod 5% for the treatment of actinic keratosis and to examine the association between treatment effectiveness and severity of local reactions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included patients with at least 8 actinic keratoses treated with imiquimod 5% cream for 12 consecutive days. Local reactions were classified as mild, moderate, or severe. The statistical analysis of the association between local reactions and clinical response was based on the Pearson chi cuadrado test and the Spearman rank correlation test. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients completed the study. Complete response was recorded in 52.3% and partial response in 75.4%. We found a statistically significant association between severity of the local reaction and response to treatment in both the Pearson chi cuadrado test and the Spearman rank correlation test. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-day course of imiquimod 5% proved effective for the treatment of actinic keratosis. Severity of local reactions during treatment was correlated with clinical response

A 12-Day Course of Imiquimod 5% for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis: Effectiveness and Local Reactions. / Tratamiento con imiquimod al 5% durante 12 días para las queratosis actínicas: estudio de la eficacia y la reacción local.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Imiquimod is an excellent option for patients with actinic keratosis, although its use may be limited by the long course of treatment required (4 weeks) and the likelihood of local skin reactions. The objectives of the present study were to demonstrate the effectiveness of a 12-day course of imiquimod 5% for the treatment of actinic keratosis and to examine the association between treatment effectiveness and severity of local reactions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included patients with at least 8 actinic keratoses treated with imiquimod 5% cream for 12 consecutive days. Local reactions were classified as mild, moderate, or severe. The statistical analysis of the association between local reactions and clinical response was based on the Pearson χ2 test and the Spearman rank correlation test. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients completed the study. Complete response was recorded in 52.3% and partial response in 75.4%. We found a statistically significant association between severity of the local reaction and response to treatment in both the Pearson χ2 test and the Spearman rank correlation test. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-day course of imiquimod 5% proved effective for the treatment of actinic keratosis. Severity of local reactions during treatment was correlated with clinical response.

Estudio de los factores histológicos asociados a la infiltración en profundidad en el dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans / Histologic Features Associated with Deep Invasion in Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans

INTRODUCCIÓN: El dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) es un raro tumor cutáneo de crecimiento lento e infiltrativo que alcanza el tejido celular subcutáneo, el tejido muscular e incluso el hueso. OBJETIVOS: Buscar las características histológicas asociadas a una mayor agresividad local en los DFSP, en forma de afectación en profundidad. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se relacionó las características histológicas propias del DFSP (forma de infiltrar el tejido celular subcutáneo, patrón histológico, tipo celular, áreas de fibrosarcoma) con la presencia o ausencia de afectación de la fascia muscular. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 155casos de DFSP. Las características histológicas asociadas significativamente con la afectación de la fascia muscular fueron: el patrón histológico en sábana, un alto grado de pleomorfismo celular y la presencia de más de una mitosis. En la mayoría de los casos (62,6%) el tumor se limitó al tejido celular subcutáneo, en 17 casos (11%) contactó con la fascia muscular o con la galea aponeurótica, y en 36 casos (23,2%) afectó al tejido muscular. CONCLUSIONES: Es importante tener en cuenta el patrón histológico, el pleomorfismo y el número de mitosis en los DFSP para predecir su afectación en profundidad (fascia o músculo), que puede llegar al 30% de los casos

BACKGROUND: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, slow-growing cutaneous tumor that can invade the subcutaneous tissue, muscle tissue, and even bone. OBJECTIVE: To identify histologic features associated with greater depth of invasion, i.e., local aggressiveness, in DFSP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed associations between histologic features of DFSP (e.g., type of subcutaneous invasion, histologic pattern, cell type, areas of fibrosarcoma) and the presence and absence of muscle fascia involvement. RESULTS: We studied 155 cases of DFSP. The following histologic characteristics were significantly associated with involvement of the muscle fascia: the presence of a sheetlike pattern, a high degree of cellular pleomorphism, and more than 1 mitotic figure. The tumor did not extend beyond the subcutaneous tissue in the majority of cases (62.6%), but there was involvement of the fascia or galea aponeurotica in 17 cases (11%) and of the muscle tissue in 36 cases (23.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Histologic patterns, degree of pleomorphism, and number of mitotic figures are important predictors of deep invasion (fascia or muscle) in DFSP; these layers can be involved in up to 30% of cases

Histologic Features Associated with Deep Invasion in Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans. / Estudio de los factores histológicos asociados a la infiltración en profundidad en el dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

BACKGROUND: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, slow-growing cutaneous tumor that can invade the subcutaneous tissue, muscle tissue, and even bone. OBJECTIVE: To identify histologic features associated with greater depth of invasion, i.e., local aggressiveness, in DFSP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed associations between histologic features of DFSP (e.g., type of subcutaneous invasion, histologic pattern, cell type, areas of fibrosarcoma) and the presence and absence of muscle fascia involvement. RESULTS: We studied 155 cases of DFSP. The following histologic characteristics were significantly associated with involvement of the muscle fascia: the presence of a sheetlike pattern, a high degree of cellular pleomorphism, and more than 1 mitotic figure. The tumor did not extend beyond the subcutaneous tissue in the majority of cases (62.6%), but there was involvement of the fascia or galea aponeurotica in 17 cases (11%) and of the muscle tissue in 36 cases (23.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Histologic patterns, degree of pleomorphism, and number of mitotic figures are important predictors of deep invasion (fascia or muscle) in DFSP; these layers can be involved in up to 30% of cases.