Drug holiday approach for Vismodegib treatment in patients with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome: Three cases from real clinical practice. Issue 4 (27th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Valenzuela‐Oñate, Cristian Alejandro; Magdaleno‐Tapial, Jorge; Garcia‐Legaz Martínez, Marta; Perez‐Pastor, Gemma; Sanchez Carazo, José Luis
• Is Part Of: Dermatologic therapy. Volume 33:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-05-27
• Subjects: adverse effects -- basal cell carcinoma -- Gorlin syndrome -- nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome -- Vismodegib; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/dth.13540
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1396-0296

Abstract

Abstract: Sonic hedgehog pathway inhibitor Vismodegib is the first systemic treatment to be approved for metastatic or locally advanced basal cell carcinoma non‐subsidiary of surgical treatment, and appears to be a promising treatment option for patients with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. In these patients, where repeated or prolonged treatment may be necessary, the psychological exhaustion caused by the chronicity of less severe adverse effects appears as the main limiting factor in the persistence of the drug in the long term and in the willingness of patients to take the drug again after its suspension. We report our experience with three cases where a drug holiday approach was effective in decreasing the intensity of adverse effects or improving the patient's subjective tolerance to the drug while maintaining clinical response.