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Cutaneous Oncology Updates for 2026, With Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD
Paul Nghiem highlights several key takeaways from his talk on cutaneous oncology, touching on various advances in skin cancer management.
Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD, of the University of Washington Medicine South Lake Union (SLU) and Fred Hutch Cancer Center, spoke with the HCPLive editorial team in a recent interview at the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii conference.1
Nghiem had been 1 of several panelists who presented a session at Maui Derm titled ‘Cutaneous Oncology Update 2026,’ during which the speakers highlighted management strategies and therapeutic options for the treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs), non-melanoma skin cancers sucb as Merkel cell carcinoma, and other conditions.
“Probably the biggest update in recent years has been the optimal use of immune therapy for Merkel cell carcinoma, in particular,” Nghiem explained. “But you know, almost all the cancers, cutaneous, squamous, and melanoma, of course, have been transformed by that. In Merkel, in particular, there's a different set of challenges that come along for dermatologists, because the dermatologist can really help to navigate the landscape.”
Frequently, radiation, surgery, or immune therapy can be provided to such patients. Such treatmets, Nghiem noted, needs to be customized. The dermatologist does not play the dominant role for any of these 3 options. Nghiem notes the dermatologist can, however, be the real advocate for the patient and the most knowledgeable person in the room regarding some of the more rare cancers such as Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and sebaceous carcinoma.
Nghiem was later asked what the most important advances highlighted in his session were related to the management of actinic keratoses and early non-melanoma skin cancers. Additionally, he was asked how such changes might impact everyday dermatology practice.
“Perhaps one of the more important things in managing actinic keratosis is the combination of 5-Fluorouracil plus calcipotriol,” Nghiem expressed.
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) combined with calcipotriol is often referred to as 5-FU + calcipotriene.2 The treatment should not, Ngiem pointed out, be given to patients for more than 4 days time, as opposed to 5-Fluoraracil, which can often be given for weeks at a time. Nghiem highlighted 5-FU + calcipotriene as highly potent and effective in only 4 days, cautioning against over treating.
The quotes contained in this video summary were edited for the purposes of clarity.
Nghiem has previously reported personal fees from Rain Therapeutics, EMD Serono, Pfizer, Sanofi/Regeneron, 4SC, and Merck; grants from EMD Serono and Bristol Myers Squibb to his institution; and a patent for Merkel cell polyomavirus T antigen–specific T-cell receptors and uses thereof pending (University of Washington), as well as a patent for novel epitopes as T-cell targets in Merkel cell carcinoma pending.
References
Rosen T, Martin G, Schmults C, Nghiem P, et al. Cutaneous Oncology Update 2026. Presented at the 2026 Maui Derm Hawaii Conference, January 25-29.
Dlott AH, Spencer SA, Di Pasqua AJ. Calcipotriol and 5-Fluorouracil Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis in the Clinic: A Review Article. Clin Drug Investig. 2024 Oct;44(10):733-737. doi: 10.1007/s40261-024-01392-w. Epub 2024 Sep 28. PMID: 39342018; PMCID: PMC11499312.
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