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Clinical Trials/NCT04642287
NCT04642287
Withdrawn
Phase 2

Calcipotriol Plus 5-Fluorouracil Immunotherapy for Skin Cancer Prevention in Organ Transplant Recipients

Massachusetts General Hospital2 sites in 1 country64 target enrollmentJanuary 2026

Overview

Phase
Phase 2
Intervention
Calcipotriol Only Product in Cutaneous Dose Form
Conditions
Immunotherapy
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Enrollment
64
Locations
2
Primary Endpoint
The changes in baseline number of AKs on treated anatomical sites in post-transplant OTRs
Status
Withdrawn
Last Updated
12 months ago

Overview

Brief Summary

This clinical trial aims to investigate the efficacy of Calcipotriol ointment combined with 5-FU cream in Organ Transplant Recipients (OTRs) to determine if it can stimulate the immune cells against actinic keratoses precancerous skin lesions after transplantation and prevent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in long-term.

Detailed Description

The main goal of this investigator-initiated clinical trial is to determine the efficacy of topical calcipotriol combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment in OTRs on immunosuppressive medications with precancerous skin lesions called actinic keratoses (AKs) and a history of non-melanoma skin cancer in order to eliminate AKs and prevent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) development. SCC is the most common cutaneous malignancy seen after transplantation, with a 65-250fold greater incidence in organ transplant recipients (OTRs) compared to the general population. This increased risk is due to the systemic immunosuppression caused by anti-rejection medications, which are indispensable for protecting against allograft loss. Our previous findings have established the efficacy of calcipotriol in combination with 5-FU in inducing an antitumor immunity against AKs in immunocompetent patients. This SCC risk reduction is accompanied by the induction of robust T cell immunity and TRM cell formation against AKs. Calcipotriol is a FDA-approved low calcemic vitamin D analogue for the treatment of psoriasis. Topical 5-FU is a standard chemotherapy for AKs. Based on our previous findings demonstrating the synergistic impact of TSLP induction by calcipotriol in combination with the cytotoxic effects of 5-FU that leads to a robust T cell immunity against early skin carcinogenesis in immunocompetent patients, we aim to determine whether this efficacy is maintained in OTRs on immunosuppressive therapy and its effect on SCC prevention in long-term after transplantation.

Registry
clinicaltrials.gov
Start Date
January 2026
End Date
January 2030
Last Updated
12 months ago
Study Type
Interventional
Study Design
Parallel
Sex
All

Investigators

Responsible Party
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator

Shadmehr Demehri

MD, PHD, Assistant Professor in Dermatology, Principal Investigator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Solid organ transplant recipients with AKs and a history of non-melanoma skin cancer in one year prior to enrollment into the study. The target population includes post-transplant OTRs.
  • Presence of four to fifteen clinically typical, visible, and discrete AKs in 25 cm2 on any of the four anatomical sites: scalp, face, right upper extremity and left upper extremity.
  • The period between the first visit and transplantation is minimum 4 weeks and maximum 12 months.
  • Age of at least 18 years
  • Ability and willingness of the patient to participate in the study (Informed consent will be obtained)

Exclusion Criteria

  • Treatment area is within 5 cm of an incompletely healed wound or a suspected basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Treatment area contained hypertrophic and hyperkeratotic lesions, cutaneous horns, or lesions that had not responded to repeated cryotherapy.
  • Patients with history of hypercalcemia or vitamin D toxicity.
  • Female participants must be either of non-reproductive potential (i.e., post-menopausal by history of age \> 50 years old and no menses for \>1 year without an alternative medical cause; OR history of hysterectomy, history of bilateral tubal ligation, or history of bilateral oophorectomy) OR must have a negative serum pregnancy test within 7 days prior to study registration.
  • Patients with DPD (Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase) deficiency (due to their higher risk of 5-FU toxicity).

Arms & Interventions

Topical Calcipotriol ointment plus 5-Fluorouracil cream

Topical Calcipotriol 0.0025% ointment plus 5-Fluorouracil 2.5% cream will be administered by the participants to their face, scalp and upper extremities twice a day for 6 consecutive days.

Intervention: Calcipotriol Only Product in Cutaneous Dose Form

Topical Calcipotriol ointment plus 5-Fluorouracil cream

Topical Calcipotriol 0.0025% ointment plus 5-Fluorouracil 2.5% cream will be administered by the participants to their face, scalp and upper extremities twice a day for 6 consecutive days.

Intervention: Topical 5FU

Topical vaseline plus 5-Fluorouracil 2.5% cream

Topical Vaseline plus 5-Fluorouracil 2.5% cream will be administered by the participants to their face, scalp and upper extremities twice a day for 6 consecutive days.

Intervention: Vaseline

Topical vaseline plus 5-Fluorouracil 2.5% cream

Topical Vaseline plus 5-Fluorouracil 2.5% cream will be administered by the participants to their face, scalp and upper extremities twice a day for 6 consecutive days.

Intervention: Topical 5FU

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

The changes in baseline number of AKs on treated anatomical sites in post-transplant OTRs

Time Frame: 8 weeks after treatment

The changes in baseline number of AKs on treated anatomical sites in post-transplant OTRs quantified based on participants' medical records and photographs in test versus control group

Secondary Outcomes

  • The changes in the number of SCC on treated anatomical sites in post-transplant OTRs(1, 2 and 4 years after treatment)
  • The changes in the magnitude of TSLP, CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ TRM cell infiltrates in in the AK and normal skin after transplantation(at one day after 6-day treatment and at one year post-treatment)
  • The changes in immune infiltrate (CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ TRM cell) in any SCC that develops after treatment(up to 4 years after treatment)
  • Number of Participants with Treatment Related Adverse Events(From the start of treatment until 30 days after the end of treatment, up to 2 months)
  • Number of participants with any proven rejection of the graft in OTRs(From the start of treatment until 30 days after the end of treatment)
  • The changes in erythema extent and intensity scores (0-4) of the treated anatomical sites(at one day after the completion of a 6-day treatment)
  • The changes in response to treatment (AKs number) between treated anatomical sites(at one day after treatment and one year after treatment)
  • The changes in SCC prevention (number of SCC) on the untreated anatomical sites (i.e., trunk and lower extremities) of OTRs(at one, two and four years post-transplant.)

Study Sites (2)

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