Clinical Research Directory

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Cemiplimab as First Line Treatment for Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Patients

The study is an open-label, singel arm, prospective, multicenter phase II trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of Cemiplimab when applied as first-line therapy in patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which were not pretreated with hedgehog inhibitors (HHI).

Flash Radiotherapy for Skin Cancer

The goal of this clinical investigation is to describe and compare the toxicity and efficacy of an experimental radiotherapy, named FLASH therapy, to conventional radiotherapy for subjects suffering from localized Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (cSCC) and Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC). FLASH therapy can deliver the irradiation dose within milliseconds instead of the minutes commonly required in conventional radiotherapy, with the aim of providing a curative dose while minimizing side effects on healthy tissue. This is a phase II selection and monocentric clinical investigation with a 1 to 1 randomization. This clinical investigation will include approximately 60 participants aged ≥ 60 years old with one or more localized cSCC and BCC who either cannot undergo surgery or decline surgical resection. The study design is the following: * On day 1, either a single dose FLASH radiotherapy (22 Gy) will be delivered or a single dose conventional radiotherapy (22 Gy) will be delivered to the selected localized cSCC or BCC lesion(s) (up to maximum 3 per participant; all lesions distant of at least 4 cm from one-another). * The surveillance period will be of 6 weeks post irradiation. * Follow-up visits will take place at 3, 6, and 12 months post-treatment.

Blue-Light Photodynamic Therapy and Sonidegib for Multiple Basal Cell Carcinomas

This research study is testing combination Blue-light photodynamic therapy and Sonidegib as a possible treatment for people with multiple basal cell carcinoma lesions. Basal cell carcinoma lesions are typically treated by freezing the lesion or surgically removing the lesion. These types of treatment can cause scarring. Photodynamic therapy uses light along with a drug applied to the skin to kill the cancer cells and cause them to break apart. The light used can cause the skin to feel warm, but does not cause scarring.

Impact of Preoperative High-Frequency Ultrasound Cutaneous Lesion Extent Assessment on Excision Margin Positivity in Head and Neck Skin Cancer, and the Relationship Between Preoperative Assessment Methods, Inadequate Excision Margins, and Tumor Recurrence

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), particularly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), are the most common malignancies in Caucasians, with the majority of tumors located in the head and neck due to chronic ultraviolet exposure. Although BCC has very low metastatic potential, while cSCC carries a higher risk of nodal spread, both can cause significant local tissue destruction and functional and cosmetic impairment. Complete excision with histologically clear margins remains the standard treatment; however, incomplete or close excision margins are reported in a substantial proportion of cases and are associated with increased risk of local recurrence, need for additional treatment, and higher healthcare costs. Preoperative dermoscopy improves delineation of lateral tumor borders but does not assess depth of invasion. High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) is a rapid, non-invasive imaging modality that can visualize superficial skin structures and estimate tumor thickness. Previous studies have suggested good agreement between HFUS and histopathologic depth of invasion, but results are not fully consistent, and HFUS has not yet been incorporated into major guideline recommendations for preoperative assessment of NMSC. Further prospective data are needed to clarify whether HFUS can improve surgical planning and margin control. This prospective study is designed to assess the impact of adding preoperative HFUS to standard dermoscopic evaluation in head and neck BCC and cSCC. The primary objectives are: (1) to compare the frequency of positive or inadequate (\<1 mm) histopathologic excision margins between lesions assessed with dermoscopy alone and those assessed with both dermoscopy and HFUS; and (2) to evaluate 5-year local recurrence rates in relation to preoperative assessment method, histopathologic margin status, and subsequent management of inadequate margins (observation, non-surgical treatment, or scar excision). Secondary and additional objectives include: assessing concordance between HFUS-measured and histopathologic depth of invasion; determining the frequency of residual tumor in scars excised after inadequate margins; evaluating recurrence rate according to the site of inadequate margins (lateral vs deep); and identifying patient-related, tumor-related, surgical, and histopathologic predictors of inadequate margins and recurrence. Approximately 400 lesions (BCC or cSCC of the head and neck) qualified for curative surgical excision will be included. Each lesion will constitute an independent study case. All lesions will undergo preoperative assessment, including clinical evaluation with detailed medical history and dermoscopy; in one cohort, lesions will additionally be evaluated with HFUS. HFUS will be performed with an 18-MHz linear probe, using superficial B-mode and color Doppler. Maximum tumor depth will be recorded from the epidermal surface (or granular layer) to the deepest hypoechoic point, with assessment of potential infiltration of deeper structures when visible. Surgical excision and postoperative care will follow standard clinical practice. Postoperative histopathologic assessment of FFPE tumor samples will record tumor histologic type and subtype, margin status, width, depth of invasion, differentiation, inflammation, elastosis, perineural or vascular invasion, and other routinely assessed diagnostic features. In the event of positive or inadequate excision margins, patients will be referred, after consultation with a dermatologist, for further management (observation, non-surgical treatment, or scar excision), depending on clinical indications and patient preferences. Participation in the study will not influence the primary surgical treatment or any decisions regarding subsequent management. Patients will be followed for at least 5 years according to current clinical guidelines, with dermoscopic skin examination and documentation of local recurrence and its management. The study aims to determine whether incorporating HFUS into preoperative assessment can reduce the frequency of inadequate histologic margins and improve long-term local control in head and neck NMSC.