Sustained Suppression of Gorlin Syndrome-Associated Basal Cell Carcinomas with Vismodegib or Sonidegib: A Case Series

Abstract

Nevoid basal-cell carcinoma syndrome (Gorlin syndrome) is characterized by numerous cutaneous basal cell carcinomas mediated by mutations in the hedgehog pathway. Vismodegib or sonidegib represent promising treatment options. We identified 10 Gorlin patients who were treated with sonidegib (n = 6) or vismodegib (n = 4) between March 2012 and March 2022. We analyzed the activity, toxicity, and duration of the response to oral hedgehog inhibitors. The number of new tumors that developed prior to treatment or after treatment as well as the time of response and durability of responses were assessed. All patients achieved a complete remission. With a 30.7 ± 48.4-month median follow-up, the drug treatment significantly reduced the number of new basal cell cancers from a mean of 28.3 ± 24.6 prior to treatment to a mean of 1.4 ± 2.0 during treatment (p = 0.0048). The median time to develop a new basal cell cancer was 47.3 months. Three patients eventually developed localized recurrences. After resection, ongoing treatment suppressed the development of additional lesions. One patient developed numerous new drug-resistant basal cell cancers and died of acute leukemia. Six patients required treatment modifications for toxicity. Sustained hedgehog inhibitor treatment can suppress the progression of both new and existing basal cell carcinomas for an extended period. Drug administration schedule adjustments improved tolerance without altering efficacy, potentially contributing to a prolonged response duration.