Active clinical trials for "Carcinoma, Basal Cell"

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent neoplasia worldwide. There are more than 30 histopathologic subtypes, however the nodular subtype is the most common. Pigmented varieties are common in darker skin types, therefore in our country. Previous studies have shown an increase number and size of melanocytes. Melanogenesis were increased at the expense of hyperfunctioning melanocytes as well. The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of melanocytes in pigmented and non-pigmented variants of basal cell carcinoma.

The main objective of this research is to develop a new scanning technology called the Fast Raman device, to accurately check the skin removed by the surgeon and detect any residual cancer cells; if found, additional skin can then be removed by surgeons on the same day. The device will be tested first for patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery, then be extended to wide-local excisions of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). This study will determine the validity (sensitivity/specificity) and reliability (inter- and intra-user variability) of the Fast Raman device for checking the completeness of tumour removal during Mohs micrographic surgery of BCC.

Translocator protein (TSPO) is a intracellular protein that is found primarily in the outer membrane of the mitochondria that is encoded by the TSPO gene. It has been found that TSPO expression in the skin correlates with cell proliferation and differentiation. Many studies have shown that TSPO overexpression in solid malignancies such as in ovarian cancer, colon cancer, and others, was also found to correlate with more aggressive cancer behavior. Working Hypothesis and Aims: Previous studies described an aberrant expression of TSPO levels in solid malignancies as compared to normal tissues. It is assumed that this aberration can be found in cuntaneous malignancies as well. The occurrence of this aberration may lead to the understanding of the mechanism of TSPO involment in the cutaneous malignancy, and in malignancies in general. Methods: The study will be carried out on surgically resected skin lesions suspected to SCC or BCC, which will be removed as part of the surgical routine treatment. The excision will be made in elliptic shape including the lesion and a part of normal skin surrounding it. A sample will be taken from the central part of the lesion and from the external extremity of the normal tissue. Western Blot will be conducted to detect the expression of TSPO. Binding activity with the TSPO specific ligandwill also be determined. Expected Results: We expect to observe either (a) a higher level of TSPO expression and a lower binding activity in malignant tissue compared with healthy control tissue or (b) a higher level of TSPO expression and a lower binding activity in malignant tissue compared with healthy control tissue. Importance: Until today, only a very small number of studies have examined TSPO in cutaneous malignancies, and these only examined TSPO expression. Our study will also measure the binding activity of TSPO in cutaneous malignant tissues compared to normal tissues

Rationale: To date, the diagnosis and subtyping of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is verified with histopathology which requires a biopsy. Because this technique is invasive, new non-invasive strategies have been developed, including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). This innovative technique enables microscopically detailed examination of lesions, which is useful for diagnosing and identification of various subtypes of BCC. The diagnostic value of the VIVOSIGHT OCT in daily clinical practice, has not been established to date.

Non-melanocytic skin cancers are the most common type of cancer worldwide. In the development of this cancer type, environmental factors such as UV and smoking are emphasized. Epigenetics are genetic conditions that develop due to environmental factors and can be inherited. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation play an integral role in carcinogenesis, cancer progression and metastasis. The TGF-/ SMAD4 pathway plays a tumor suppressive role in cancer pathogenesis. Epigenetic changes in this pathway also lead to a decrease in expression level, leading to different types of cancer. However, there is no study showing the epigenetic relationship between non-melanocytic skin cancer and SMAD4 methylation. In this study we planned, it was aimed to show the change in SMAD4 methylation and SMAD4 RNA expression level in cancerous tissue. In addition, it is planned to measure the SMAD4 protein positivity rate in non-melanocytic cancers as an immunohistochemical marker. In this context, 60 patients who applied to Trakya University Dermatology and Venereal Diseases Outpatient Clinic and diagnosed with non-melanocytic skin cancer clinically and dermoscopically will be included in the study. Tissue materials obtained from both cancerous and intact skin of the patients will be examined in Trakya University Medical Biophysics and Medicine Pathology laboratories through various steps. Our project is the first study to be conducted on this subject in terms of handling all non-melanocytic skin cancers, using human tissue and having a large sample. In addition, with the data to be obtained; We think that better clarification of the role of SMAD4 in non-melanocytic cancers and the use of SMAD4 as both a prognostic factor and an immunohistochemical marker in future studies will prevent this study. Again, we anticipate that different treatment modalities will be developed and different functional studies can be designed through this pathway.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the ability and efficacy of using a polarization-enhanced reflectance and fluorescence imaging device, PERFIS, (see the Device Brochure) for demarcation of nonmelanoma skin cancer margins prior to surgery. PERFIS is a harmless and non-invasive device that has been used to image biological tissue both in vitro and in vivo. In this study it will be used to image nonmelanoma skin cancer lesions prior to surgery. The use of PERFIS will not affect patient care or treatment decisions in any way. No extra tissue will be used for imaging.

This study seeks to correlate microbial sequencing data from a punch biopsy in patients with skin cancer both melanoma and non-melanoma.

The research team will develop an intraoperative handheld device for assessing surgical margins during Mohs surgery. The device technology is based on multimodal optical spectroscopy (MMS), combining three optical spectroscopy techniques into one device. The researchers will first acquire proof of concept MMS measurements within the Mohs surgery suite immediately after surgical excision and prior to histological processing. MMS measurements will be acquired directly on the patient from the NMSC excision site. The final outcome of this study will result in the sensitivity and specificity of MMS compared to histopathology during Mohs surgery. These results will allow for the estimation of the potential benefit of an intraoperative margin assessment technique.

This is an open-label, non-comparative, multicenter, expanded access study of Vismodegib (GDC-0449) in patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or metastatic BCC (mBCC) who are otherwise without satisfactory treatment options.

Currently, we conduct a prospective, randomized trial comparing the outcome of surgical excision with the outcome of curettage in nodular and superficial BCCs. Larger BCCs and micronodular or sclerosing BCCs are not included in the randomized study. They are mainly operated using three-dimensional histology (3D-histology, micrographic surgery). In this observational study we measure the cosmetic result and the recurrence rate of all BCCs not included in the randomized trial.