Hedgehog inhibitor in the treatment of basal cell skin cancer: case report

Background. In the structure of malignant neoplasms, basal cell skin cancer (BCC) occupies a leading position. In the initial stages of a malignant neoplasm, the main treatments are local treatment methods, both surgical and radiation. However, in about 1.3 % of cases, BCC can become locally or metastatic in which local treatment methods are limited. With the development of targeted drugs, such as the Hedgehog pathway inhibitor, the possibilities for effective and safe treatment of this category of patients have appeared.

The objective is to present the clinical case of treating a patient with BCC who is receiving systemic therapy with a Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitor.

Case report. According to the patient, a tumor in the lower eyelid of the left eye appeared in 2000, did not seek medical help. In 2011, he applied to the clinic and was diagnosed with skin cancer of the lower eyelid of the left eye T2bN0M0. The patient refused the proposed treatment. Reapplied only in June 2017 already with a locally distributed process. The case is recognized as unresectable. From June 30, 2017 to September 4, 2017, he underwent a course of a radical program of radiotherapy, with a positive effect. 07/01/2019, he relapsed with a relapse of an orbital tumor on the left. From July 16, 2019, the patient began taking the drug wismodegib 150 mg once a day. Against the background of the treatment, control CT studies on 11/24/2019 and 11/03/2020 compared with CT data from 07/09/2019 reduced the volume of the tumor by 78 and 82 %. The patient currently continues to take wismodegib.

Conclusion. The clinical case demonstrates successful treatment of locally advanced basal cell skin cancer with a Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitor.