Clinical Research Directory

HIFU for Treatment of Non-nodular and Recurrent BCC

The overall objective of this study is to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of removal of Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) using a new investigational equipment based on high-intensity focused ultrasound. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common cancer in Europe, Australia and the U.S.A. The general upwards age shift in the population in these regions is expected to be accompanied by an increase in the incidence of this type of cancer. There are currently more the 20.000 BCC registrations in Denmark every year, and occurrences on a global scale are counted in several tens of millions per year. Finding new and more effective treatment methods are therefore highly relevant from both a clinical and socioeconomic perspective. The investigational device used in the investigation is a Danish developed system capable of making controlled and targeted thermo-mechanical treatment of small intradermal volumes containing e.g. BCC cells, but without inflicting damage to the surrounding tissue. The investigation involves an evaluation of the safety and efficacy profile 3 months after a single 3-5 minute treatment. Subsequent follow-up of secondary endpoints is done every third month until the end of the study one year after the treatment.

Oral Hedgehog Inhibitors in the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Netherlands: a Prospective Registration Study

Background: Oral hedgehog inhibitors vismodegib and sonidegib have been used for the treatment of locally advanced (laBCC), metastatic basal cell carcinoma (mBCC) and in basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) patients. In the Netherlands, targeted therapy with vismodegib and sonidegib has been available since 2013 and 2021, respectively. No direct comparative studies have been performed between the two oral hedgehog inhibitors (HHI) vismodegib and sonidegib yet . In addition, data for sonidegib are not yet available. Objective: The aim of this study is 1) to evaluate the effectiveness of oral HHIs in the treatment of laBCC, mBCC and BCNS patients and 2) to compare the oral HHIs vismodegib and sonidegib. Study design: prospective registration study that includes all patients, regardless of age and gender, with histologically proven basal cell carcinoma receiving treatment with either vismodegib or sonidegib in the Netherlands. Patient, tumor and treatment information was gathered from patient records. Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome for measuring efficacy/tumor response was median progression free survival (PFS) where the decrease, stagnation or increase in tumor size is measured by maximum diameter. Secondary outcomes are frequency, severity and reversibility of treatment-emergent adverse events and disease-specific quality of life expressed as mean scores on the EORTC-QLQ-C30 and aBCCdex questionnaires.

Nicotinamide Chemoprevention for Keratinocyte Carcinoma in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients - Pivotal Trial

As patients live longer after receiving an organ transplant, there is a need to reduce the long-term side effects of the drugs used to prevent organ rejection. In particular, long-term use of these drugs increases the risk of skin cancer. Skin cancer is now a leading cause of illness and disfigurement after kidney, liver, heart, and lung transplantation. Given the increased risk and burden of skin cancer in transplant recipients, prevention is critical. Nicotinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 that has been shown to protect against skin cancer in the general population. However, it is unclear whether nicotinamide is effective among immune-suppressed transplant recipients. Investigators will conduct a clinical trial involving multiple transplant centres in Canada to evaluate whether oral nicotinamide (500 mg twice daily) is effective and safe for preventing skin cancer. Investigators will recruit 396 high-risk adult kidney, liver, heart, and lung transplant patients who have previously had at least one skin cancer. Patients will receive nicotinamide or sham tablets for up to 4 years. The results will inform efforts to improve the long-term health of transplant recipients.