The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an expanded indication for Libtayo® (cemiplimab-rwlc) as an adjuvant treatment to prevent the recurrence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) in adults at high-risk following surgery and radiation therapy. This marks a significant advancement in post-surgical cancer care for patients prone to disease relapse.
Libtayo is a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) blocking antibody that works by reactivating the body’s immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. By blocking the PD-1 receptor on T cells and preventing its interaction with PD-L1 and PD-L2 ligands, Libtayo helps restore anti-tumor immune activity that tumors often suppress.
Originally approved for metastatic or locally advanced CSCC in patients who are not candidates for curative treatment, this new indication extends its use to include patients in the adjuvant setting offering a proactive strategy to reduce recurrence risk after surgery and radiation.
Beyond CSCC, Libtayo is also approved for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) either as monotherapy or in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy, depending on tumor characteristics and mutation status.
Disclaimer: This news is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not substitute professional medical advice. Patients should consult their healthcare provider for guidance on treatment decisions and eligibility for specific therapies.
