Evolving SCAC Care: Clinical Perspectives on Innovation and Implementation
Marwan Fakih, M.D., discusses how squamous cell anal carcinoma has doubled in incidence over 30 years, with human papillomavirus (HPV) as the primary risk factor amplified by immunosuppression, leading to the evolution from historical cisplatin-based treatments to carboplatin/paclitaxel and now to the new standard of care combining retifanlimab with chemotherapy based on the landmark POD1UM-303 trial, which demonstrated significant improvements in progression-free survival (9.3 vs 7.4 months), response rates and overall survival trends, while emphasizing the need for widespread dissemination of this level-one evidence and exploring future therapeutic innovations including combination immunotherapies, cellular therapies targeting HPV antigens and antibody-drug conjugates.
EP. 1: Defining High-Risk Populations in Squamous Cell Anal Carcinoma
June 27th 2025A panelist discusses how squamous cell cancer of the anal canal has nearly doubled in incidence over 30 years, with human papillomavirus infection being the primary risk factor that is significantly amplified by immunosuppression from conditions like HIV, immunosuppressive medications or organ transplantation, particularly affecting older patients and women at higher rates.
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EP. 2: Historical Standards of Care in Metastatic SCAC
June 27th 2025A panelist discusses how the historical standard of care for metastatic squamous cell anal carcinoma evolved from cisplatin-based regimens to carboplatin and paclitaxel as the established backbone treatment based on the InterAACT trial, which demonstrated superior progression-free survival and overall survival (20 months vs 12 months) with better tolerability, until recent changes with the POD1UM-303 trial shifted the current standard of care.
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