Immunotherapy before surgery shows promise for tough skin cancers
NCT ID NCT04315701
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This phase II trial tests whether giving the immunotherapy drug cemiplimab before surgery can shrink high-risk skin cancers that have not spread far. The study enrolls 35 people with resectable squamous cell carcinoma. Participants receive cemiplimab intravenously, then undergo surgery to remove any remaining tumor. The goal is to see if this approach improves response rates and outcomes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- cemiplimab (a drug that helps the immune system attack cancer cells)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could lead to a new treatment approach that shrinks skin cancer tumors before surgery, potentially improving cure rates and reducing recurrence.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase pilot study with only 35 people. It may not show clear benefit, and cemiplimab can cause immune-related side effects like inflammation in healthy organs.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hoag Memorial Hospital
Newport Beach, California, 92663, United States
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Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center
Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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USC / Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Los Angeles, California, 90033, United States
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University of Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, United States
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