title: Vismodegib in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma: indications for clinical practice.
abstract: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a frequent skin cancer which can cause substantial morbidity due to its location on the face, its frequency of relapse and its capacity to invade local tissues. The primary treatment of BCC usually involves surgery or radiotherapy. In patients who have exhausted surgical and radiotherapy options or with metastatic BCC, guidelines recommend the use of the Hedgehog pathway inhibitor vismodegib. This molecule is indicated for the treatment of adults with metastatic BCC, or with locally advanced BCC which has recurred following surgery or who are not eligible to surgery or radiation. This paper aims to provide suggestions on the optimal management of BCC patients treated with vismodegib in clinical practice, according to the large experience gained by a group of Italian dermatologists and oncologists. In particular, the focus of this paper will be on the monitoring of patients and the management of adverse events.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, University & Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Piergiacomo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Calzavara Pinton
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Licitra
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peris
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: Paolo Antonio
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ascierto
mesh_terms: D000813:Anilides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000813:Anilides; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C538724:HhAntag691; D011725:Pyridines
keywords: adverse events; basal cell carcinoma; clinical practice; vismodegib