Eligibility criteria for PD-1 inhibitors versus real world advice: a retrospective analysis of 69 advanced cSCCHN patients.

Systemic treatment with programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) inhibitors has been approved for patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) ineligible for curative surgery or radiation. The PD-1 inhibitors cemiplimab and pembrolizumab showed a promising response rate of 50% and 38.5% respectively.1,2 Experience on its share in the treatment of cSCC of the head and neck region (cSCCHN) is limited. We hypothesised that PD-1 inhibitors would have a limited place in clinical practice as a large proportion of patients with advanced disease is immunocompromised (e.g. organ transplant patients) and would have a contraindication for PD-1 inhibitors.