Background: A position statement put forth by the American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) was constructed to provide evidence-based treatment recommendations for PD-1 inhibitor use in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Secondarily, we sought to identify knowledge gaps warranting further investigation.
Methods: A literature search utilizing key terms: cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous cancer, checkpoint inhibitors, systemic therapy, Program Cell Death, PD-1 (PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar) was carried out to generate evidence-based statements. The statements were distributed among the AHNS membership. Delphi methodology was applied to identify statements achieving 70% or greater consensus among the leadership team.
Results: Twenty-six position statements achieved consensus. Knowledge gaps for future research included: impact of immunosuppression on cSCC staging and associated treatment; role of PD-1 inhibitors in immunosuppressed patients.
Conclusion: This comprehensive position statement put forth by the AHNS represents majority consensus by practicing head and neck surgeons throughout the country.
Keywords: carcinoma; epidermoid carcinoma; evidence-based medicine; immune checkpoint inhibitors; skin neoplasms; squamous cell.
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