Vismodegib shrinks tumors in metastatic basal cell carcinoma patients

An investigational new drug with a novel mechanism of action known as vismodegib may provide new hope individuals suffering from locally advanced or metastatic basal-cell carcinoma, a condition that currently has no effective treatment. Research with this new drug is published in the June 7 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Here is some information about basal-cell carcinoma: • It is a slow-growing form of skin cancer • Caught in time, it can frequently be cured with surgery • Once it has spread beyond the scope of surgical removal, however, the condition is deadly Researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale treated nearly 100 patients suffering from metastatic basal-cell carcinoma or inoperable locally advanced basal cell carcinoma with 150 mg of vismodegib daily. The investigators then studied whether the tumors shrank in response to the treatment. Overall, 30% of those with metastatic basal-cell carcinoma and 43% of those with locally advanced disease experienced a shrinkage of their tumors in response to the treatment. This response lasted an average of about seven-and-a-half months. The drug was not without its toxic effects, however, and 7 deaths were attributed to adverse events from treatment. In addition, common side effects included muscle spasms, hair loss, taste disturbance, weight loss, and fatigue. Today's research suggests that a brand new class of drugs may provide some benefits for individuals suffering from a form of cancer that currently has no other treatment options.