OR WAIT null SECS
Shannon C. Trotter, DO, FAOCD, discusses immunotherapy in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and why dermatologists should stay involved.
Dermatologists should stay engaged in caring for patients with locally advanced and metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), even after referral to oncology, according to Shannon C. Trotter, DO, FAOCD, a board-certified dermatologist with Dermatologists of the Central States in Ohio.
In an interview during the 2026 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference, with HCPLive, Trotter discussed immunotherapy options for advanced cSCC, proposed Medicare cuts, and the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in skin cancer care.
On October 10, at the Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, Trotter and Todd E. Schlesinger, MD, copresented “Seminar-In-Depth: Deep Dive on Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma and the Latest in Immunotherapy.”¹
Trotter noted about 95% of cSCC cases are treatable, while roughly 5% become more difficult to manage. She highlighted 3 immune checkpoint inhibitors approved for locally advanced and metastatic cSCC: pembrolizumab (Keytruda), cemiplimab (Libtayo), and cosibelimab (Unloxcyt). Research into intralesional use, particularly with cemiplimab, may also create a role for dermatologists in the office.
“They may seem far off to the dermatologist, but we are really the quarterbacks in skin cancer. We might be the first one to actually detect it, whether that is on the skin or even palpating for a lymph node. So we really need to be involved in our patients’ care, even if they are sent over to oncology as well,” Trotter said.
Trotter also described proposed Medicare cuts as a patient access issue. Older adults, who are disproportionately affected by skin cancer, could face delays in diagnosis and treatment. Survival in melanoma approaches 100% with early detection, she noted, and she encouraged the dermatology community to sign a petition opposing the cuts.
Looking ahead, Trotter pointed to augmented intelligence, which combines AI with clinician judgment, as a key opportunity in both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. New diagnostic tools may enable earlier detection. Gene expression profiling, alone or combined with AI, can provide prognostic information and may eventually guide therapeutic decisions.
Editor's Note: This summary has been edited for grammar and clarity using artificial intelligence tools. Trotter had no financial disclosures of note.
References
