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Laser Assisted Drug Delivery in the Treatment of Superficial Non Melanoma Skin Cancer: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Bowen's Disease
Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma
Interventions
Device: full ablative CO2 laser
Device: fractional ablative CO2 laser
Drug: MAL
Device: LED lamp
Registration Number
NCT03012009
Lead Sponsor
University Hospital, Ghent
Brief Summary

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a well established treatment option for superficial non melanoma skin cancer, such as superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC) and Bowen Disease (BD). However, a limited uptake of the topically applied photosensitizer methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) may reduce its efficacy. Pretreatment with an ablative carbon dioxide (CO2) laser has recently been studied in order to enhance the skin penetration of this photosensitizer. This study compares the results of a full ablative and a fractional ablative CO2 laser mode as pretreatment of PDT in the management of sBCC and BD. The endpoints efficacy, pain, aesthetics and patient preference are investigated during twelve months of follow up.

Detailed Description

Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma (sBCC) and Bowen Disease (BD) are malignant skin tumors localised in the superficial epidermis. These tumors are highly prevalent in the caucasian population. Diagnosis of sBCC and BD is often delayed because the clinical manifestation may be discrete and lesions are sometimes wrongly diagnosed and treated as eczema. Once the diagnosis is established, the lesions may cover an extensive area, making surgical excision more difficult. At that moment, the physician can make use of less invasive techniques such as photodynamic therapy (PDT). Pretreatment with an ablative carbon dioxide (CO2) laser has recently been studied in order to enhance the skin penetration of the photosensitizer methyl aminolevulinate (MAL). This study compares the results of a full ablative and a fractional ablative CO2 laser mode as pretreatment of PDT in the management of sBCC and BD. Ablation of the upper epiderm of the cancer results in an deeper penetration of MAL. Fractional ablation is known to result in better wound healing compared to full ablative CO2 laser ablation, because only small skin columns are ablated instead of the entire epidermal layer. Patients with non operable sBCC or BD lesions covering an area of at least 5 cm2 or with the presence of two small separated lesions, will be investigated. Lesions greater than 5 cm2 are divided in two. After randomization, the half of the lesions will be pretreated with the full ablative CO2 laser, while the other half with the fractional ablative CO2 laser. Afterwards, the entire surface is treated with MAL-PDT. Such as in our current clinical practice, this treatment modality is repeated after a two week interval. Thus, every subject undergoes both treatment modalities, making within-patient comparison possible. The endpoints efficacy, pain, aesthetics and patient preference are investigated during twelve months of follow up.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
16
Inclusion Criteria

patients with the presence of

  • non operable superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma or Bowen's Disease lesions
  • and the presence of at least two lesions or the presence of one lesion covering an area greater than 5cm2
Exclusion Criteria

pregnancy and/or breast feeding

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Full ablative CO2 laser + MAL PDTfull ablative CO2 laserThe treatment starts with a full ablative CO2 laser pretreatment under local anaesthesia with injectable lidocaine hydrochloride 2% with epinephrine. This ablation is followed by photodynamic therapy: MAL is topically applied, followed by a 3 hours incubation under occlusion, whereafter 10 minutes of illumination with a LED lamp. This treatment is repeated after 14 days.
Full ablative CO2 laser + MAL PDTMALThe treatment starts with a full ablative CO2 laser pretreatment under local anaesthesia with injectable lidocaine hydrochloride 2% with epinephrine. This ablation is followed by photodynamic therapy: MAL is topically applied, followed by a 3 hours incubation under occlusion, whereafter 10 minutes of illumination with a LED lamp. This treatment is repeated after 14 days.
Full ablative CO2 laser + MAL PDTLED lampThe treatment starts with a full ablative CO2 laser pretreatment under local anaesthesia with injectable lidocaine hydrochloride 2% with epinephrine. This ablation is followed by photodynamic therapy: MAL is topically applied, followed by a 3 hours incubation under occlusion, whereafter 10 minutes of illumination with a LED lamp. This treatment is repeated after 14 days.
Full ablative CO2 laser + MAL PDTlidocaine hydrochloride 2% with epinephrineThe treatment starts with a full ablative CO2 laser pretreatment under local anaesthesia with injectable lidocaine hydrochloride 2% with epinephrine. This ablation is followed by photodynamic therapy: MAL is topically applied, followed by a 3 hours incubation under occlusion, whereafter 10 minutes of illumination with a LED lamp. This treatment is repeated after 14 days.
Fractional ablative CO2 laser+ MAL PDTfractional ablative CO2 laserThe treatment starts with a fractional ablative CO2 laser ablation under local anaesthesia with injectable lidocaine hydrochloride 2% with epinephrine. This ablation is followed by photodynamic therapy: MAL is topically applied, followed by a 3 hours incubation under occlusion, whereafter 10 minutes of illumination with LED lamp. This treatment is repeated after 14 days.
Fractional ablative CO2 laser+ MAL PDTMALThe treatment starts with a fractional ablative CO2 laser ablation under local anaesthesia with injectable lidocaine hydrochloride 2% with epinephrine. This ablation is followed by photodynamic therapy: MAL is topically applied, followed by a 3 hours incubation under occlusion, whereafter 10 minutes of illumination with LED lamp. This treatment is repeated after 14 days.
Fractional ablative CO2 laser+ MAL PDTLED lampThe treatment starts with a fractional ablative CO2 laser ablation under local anaesthesia with injectable lidocaine hydrochloride 2% with epinephrine. This ablation is followed by photodynamic therapy: MAL is topically applied, followed by a 3 hours incubation under occlusion, whereafter 10 minutes of illumination with LED lamp. This treatment is repeated after 14 days.
Fractional ablative CO2 laser+ MAL PDTlidocaine hydrochloride 2% with epinephrineThe treatment starts with a fractional ablative CO2 laser ablation under local anaesthesia with injectable lidocaine hydrochloride 2% with epinephrine. This ablation is followed by photodynamic therapy: MAL is topically applied, followed by a 3 hours incubation under occlusion, whereafter 10 minutes of illumination with LED lamp. This treatment is repeated after 14 days.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Clinical efficacy after twelve months of follow upmonth 12

A three point scale with complete regression (CR), partial regression (PR) and no regression (NR) defined respectively as 100%, 25-99% and 0-25% regression.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Histological efficacy after twelve months of follow upmonth 12
Pain during the first treatment sessionimmediately after the first treatment session (day 1)

The experienced pain during the treatment is scored bye the patient using a VAS scale of 100 mm.

Pain during the second treatment sessionimmediately after the second treatment session (day 14)

The experienced pain during the treatment is scored by the patient using a VAS scale of 100 mm.

Side effects after the first treatment sessionimmediately after the first treatment session (day 1)

The presence of following side effects is evaluated by the investigator: erythema, vesicles, pigment changes, scarring, infection and pain.

Side effects after one week of follow up, telephone surveyday 7

The presence of following side effects is evaluated by the patient: erythema, vesicles, pigment changes, scarring, infection and pain.

Side effects before the second treatment sessionbefore initiation of the second treatment session (day 14)

The presence of following side effects is evaluated by the investigator: erythema, vesicles, pigment changes, scarring, infection and pain.

Side effects after the second treatmentimmediately after the second treatment session (day 14)

The presence of following side effects is evaluated by the investigator: erythema, vesicles, pigment changes, scarring, infection and pain.

Side effects after two weeks of follow up, telephone surveyday 21

The presence of following side effects is evaluated by the patient: erythema, vesicles, pigment changes, scarring, infection and pain.

Aesthetic result after three months of follow upmonth 3

The aesthetic result is scored by a blinded investigator using a four point scale: excellent (no significant changes), good (minor changes), poor (serious dyspigmentation, visible scarring), very poor (important scarring).

Aesthetic result after six months of follow upmonth 6

The aesthetic result is scored a by blinded investigator using a four point scale: excellent (no significant changes), good (minor changes), poor (serious dyspigmentation, visible scarring), very poor (important scarring).

Aesthetic result after twelve months of follow upmonth 12

The aesthetic result is scored a by blinded investigator using a four point scale: excellent (no significant changes), good (minor changes), poor (serious dyspigmentation, visible scarring), very poor (important scarring).

Aesthetic result according to the patient after three months of follow upmonth 3

The aesthetic result is scored by the patient using a four point scale: excellent (no significant changes), good (minor changes), poor (serious dyspigmentation, visible scarring), very poor (important scarring).

Clinical efficacy after six months of follow upmonth 6

A three point scale with complete regression (CR), partial regression (PR) and no regression (NR) defined respectively as 100%, 25-99% and 0-25% regression.

Clinical efficacy after three months of follow upmonth 3

A three point scale with complete regression (CR), partial regression (PR) and no regression (NR) defined respectively as 100%, 25-99% and 0-25% regression.

Side effects after three months follow upmonth 3

The presence of following side effects is evaluated by the investigator: erythema, vesicles, pigment changes, scarring, infection and pain.

Side effects after six months of follow upmonth 6

The presence of following side effects is evaluated by the investigator: erythema, vesicles, pigment changes, scarring, infection and pain.

Side effects after twelve months of follow upmonth 12

The presence of following side effects is evaluated by the investigator: erythema, vesicles, pigment changes, scarring, infection and pain.

Aesthetic result according to the patient after six months of follow upmonth 6

The aesthetic result is scored by the patient using a four point scale: excellent (no significant changes), good (minor changes), poor (serious dyspigmentation, visible scarring), very poor (important scarring).

Aesthetic result according to the patient after twelve months of follow upmonth 12

The aesthetic result is scored by the patient using a four point scale: excellent (no significant changes), good (minor changes), poor (serious dyspigmentation, visible scarring), very poor (important scarring).

Technique of preference according to the patientmonth 12

Patients are asked for their preferred therapy. Following options exist: (1) full ablative CO2 laser + PDT, (2) fractional ablative CO2 laser + PDT, (3) no preference

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Dermatology, Ghent University Hospital

🇧🇪

Ghent, Belgium

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