Abstract
PURPOSE: Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (SSC) is a UV-damage-related skin tumor. The first-line treatment is surgery, which has a high cure rate. In advanced cases, however, the established treatment is often not curative and shows a high rate of side effects. Improved treatment modalities are necessary. METHODS: Oral capecitabine plus subcutaneous interferon alpha were used in a prospective case series in advanced SSC of the skin at an academic teaching hospital for dermatology. Four patients with advanced SCC were included. Capecitabine 950 mgm(-2) body surface on days 1 to 14 was combined with interferon alpha 3x3 mioU s.c. three times a week. The chemotherapy was repeated on day 22. Clinical response, histology, monitoring of side effects and health performance status were assessed. RESULTS: Four patients (two females and two males) with advanced SCC were included (age range: 19 to 75 years). Complete remission (CR) was obtained in two and partial response (PR) in two. The final outcome was CR in two and progressive disease in one. One patient died of an unknown cause. Side effects were mild. Adjuvant treatment was unnecessary. Health performance status was not affected by the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment protocol with a combination of capecitabine and interferon alpha seems to be effective and well tolerated in patients with advanced SCC. Controlled trials are necessary to prove the benefit we observed in this case series.