randomized pilot study of treatment for bcc using the multiplex 595/1064 nm laser

Conditions: Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma; Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma

Summary: laser therapy for basal cell carcinoma may be a superior option for patients who do not wish to or cannot tolerate other treatment modalities such as topical chemotherapeutics or surgery. in this pilot study, we will preliminarily assess the efficacy and safety of the 595/1064 nm multiplex laser when treating superficial and nodular basal cell carcinomas less than 1.5 cm in size. this is an unblinded study in which patients will be randomized to either a treatment arm or a control arm. patients in the treatment arm will receive three treatments with the 595/1064 nm multiplex laser spaced four weeks apart. the control group will visit the clinic with the same schedule as the treatment group for monitoring of the lesion. all patients will return one month after last treatment session or clinical visit, for evaluation of clinical and histological clearance.

basal cell carcinoma is a malignancy with significant prevalence that rarely metastasizes but can be locally destructive. laser therapy for this type of lesion may be a superior option for patients who do not wish to or cannot tolerate other modalities such as topical chemotherapeutics or surgery. in this pilot study, we will preliminarily assess the efficacy and safety of the 595/1064 nm multiplex laser when treating superficial and nodular basal cell carcinomas less than 1.5 cm in size. eligible patients with biopsy-proven superficial or nodular bccs less than 1.5 cm in size will have the opportunity to enroll in this study. this is an unblinded study in which patients will be randomized to either a treatment arm or a control arm. patients in the treatment arm will receive three treatments with the 595/1064 nm multiplex laser spaced four weeks apart. in addition to assessing the presence of any adverse effects, photographs will be taken at each visit. one month after the last treatment session, patients in this group will return for evaluation of 1) clinical clearance and 2) histological clearance of their bcc. in order to assess clinical clearance, a dermatologist will grossly examine, measure, and document any residual lesion. afterwards, a deep excisional biopsy encompassing the entire region will be taken and histological clearance will be determined by a microscopic examination for any residual tumor cells. follow-up for wound care of the biopsy will occur one week later. tumor burden will be calculated by change in surface area of the lesion. after standard diagnostic biopsy, patients in the control arm will be followed for three regular visits, spaced 4 weeks apart. one month after the third follow-up visit, control patients will return for final photography and evaluation of clinical and histological clearance, just as the treatment arm. although extremely rare1, if any clinical signs of progression are visible during this period (what we will consider greater than 10% growth), the patient will be withdrawn from the study and will undergo standard of care treatment.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * adults age 18 years or older * diagnostic biopsy must be no later than three months prior to enrollment * lesion is biopsy-proven nodular or superficial bcc * bcc is 1.5 cm or less in diameter * bcc is on trunk or extremities * fitzpatrick skin types i, ii, iii, or iv * if female, must no longer be of child-bearing potential * ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document exclusion criteria: * bcc is greater than 1.5 cm in size * if location of bcc is on the face. * patients whose biopsy shows a subtype other than superficial or nodular, or has characteristics of a more aggressive nature, such as: basosquamous basal cell carcinoma, morpheaform/ infiltrative basal cell carcinoma, sclerosing basal cell carcinoma, recurrent basal cell carcinomas * patients who may not be able to tolerate light therapy, such as: patients with seizure disorders triggered by light, patients who have or are currently receiving gold therapy, patients with any light sensitive disorder, patients taking medication that increases sensitivity to light, patients with systemic lupus erythematous * fitzpatrick skin types v or vi * patients who are taking certain oral medications such as: anticoagulants except for aspirin 81 mg, isotretinoin (currently or within last 6 months), medications that alter wound healing * patients who have a history of herpes simplex virus outbreak in the area to be treated * patients whose lesion has been previously, or is currently being, treated by another modality (topical immunomodulators/ chemotherapeutics, cryotherapy, curettage and electrodesiccation, surgical excision, or mohs micrographic surgery)