Neoadjuvant Vismodegib and Mohs Micrographic Surgery for Locally Advanced Periocular Basal Cell Carcinoma.

Introduction: Vismodegib has shown a significant response rate in locally advanced periocular basal cell carcinoma. Long-term monotherapy is very difficult to accomplish due to primary or secondary resistance and side effects that limit the length of treatment. The use of Vismodegib as neoadjuvant followed by Mohs micrographic surgery is an option.

Purpose: To report the use of neoadjuvant Vismodegib as an option for operable locally advanced basal cell carcinoma followed by Mohs surgery.

Patients And Methods: The authors treated 8 locally advanced periocular basal cell carcinomas. Mean age was 76, and 6 of 8 were women. Mean size was 18 mm (12-30). Three were recurrent after surgery. Maximal clinical response was obtained at 4.8 months. Patients were operated at the mean time of 7.3 months.

Results: Seven patients (87.5%) had a complete response and 1 (12.5%) progressed. Mohs micrographic surgery allowed to confirm a complete histologic response in 5 of 6 (83.3%) cases, and 1 patient refused surgery. All 7 patients are disease free after a mean follow-up of 12.4 months. All patients experienced adverse events. The most common included dysgeusia (100%) and muscle spasms (100%). Weight loss was present in 75% of the patients with a mean loss of 12.6 pounds and hair loss was seen in 50%. Only 1 (12.5%) patient withdraw from treatment because of intolerable muscle spasms.

Conclusions: The authors believe there is a clear role for Vismodegib as neoadjuvant in locally advanced periocular basal cell carcinoma, even in operable cases. Specific indications beyond those already approved should be further discussed. Prospective studies to assess the combination of neoadjuvant Vismodegib followed by Mohs micrographic surgery in locally advanced periocular basal cell carcinoma with long-term follow-up are needed.