Modern Medicine: Dr. Ellen Marmur Weighs In: “Oral Drug In Clinical Trials Shows Promise In Treating Basal Cell Carcinoma”
Investigators are studying vismodegib (previously known as GDC-0449, Genentech), a new oral inhibitor of the Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway, known to play an important role in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The drug is showing promise in treating this type of cancer — the No. 1 skin cancer in the United States. Vismodegib is indicated in patients with nonsurgical basal cell cancers, such as when the basal cell cancer has wrapped itself around the spine or for patients with metastases, says Ellen Marmur, M.D., associate professor, department of dermatology, and chief of the division of dermatologic and cosmetic surgery, The Mount Sinai Medical Center. "It's a very exciting development," Dr. Marmur says. "I can speak from my practice because I am a hospital-based Mohs surgeon and I see some of the most advanced cases. I know patients who were nonsurgical — their only other option was radiation therapy." Learn more
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