VSCC is a rare cancer with limited treatment options for advanced disease.
A recent study by GCI Members, Drs. Madeline Rhind, Amy Jamieson, Lien Hoang, and Yvette Drew investigate potential antibody drug conjugate (ADC) targets and explores the immune microenvironment in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC).
Two of the proteins tested (CLDN18.2 and FOLR1) were not found in any tumour samples from the 108 patients, and HER2 was seen in only two cases. Intermediate to high levels of TF were found in 73% of cases, TROP2 in 74%, and NECTIN4 in 53%. All tumours showed some level of PD-L1 expression (PDL-1 CPS range: 28-100, median: 66). The presence of these potential drug targets did not appear to depend on whether the tumour was associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). However, HPV-independent tumours appeared to have more active immune microenvironment than HPV independent tumours.
These findings are hypothesis generating and provide rationale for future clinical trials of ADCs and immune checkpoint inhibitors in VSCC.
This study was funded by a Sumiko Kobayashi Marks Memorial Fund Award through the Vancouver General Hospital and University of British Columbia Hospital Foundation (DRG03597, 2024).
Free access to the full article is available here until January 11, 2026.
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