Clinical trial NCT04140292
Conditions: Actinic Keratosis
Sponsor: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
Start date: 2020-01-13; Completion date: 2021-05-27
Enrollment: 75 participants; Allocation: NA; Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP

Brief summary:
This study is open to individuals with Actinic Keratoses (skin lesions that have the potential to turn into skin cancer), who are receiving photodynamic therapy (PDT) as part of their clinical care. The purpose of this study is to test and demonstrate that vitamin D pre-treatment can enhance PDT efficacy in the treatment of Actinic Keratoses.

Participants will be asked to take vitamin D supplements prior to their standard of care PDT treatment.

Participation in the research will last about 3-4 months.

Detailed description:
The primary objective of this study is to determine whether acute supplementation (neoadjuvant Vitamin D3), adjusted according to baseline Vitamin D status, can improve the clinical PDT response relative to participants receiving PDT alone

The secondary objective of this study is to determine whether gene polymorphisms in VDR and CYP27B1 are predictive for the degree of responsiveness to Vitamin D as a neoadjuvant for PDT.

This study is a non-randomized interventional trial, in which the study group will be compared to a baseline cohort of patients from a previous study who received the same regimen of PDT, but without any Vit D. It is anticipated that 30 participants will be involved in this study.

Arms: arm 1: Patients receive Vitamin D3 10,000 IU daily for 5 or 14 days depending on VitD baseline level. They then undergo Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treatment of actinic keratosis.
Interventions: intervention 1: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) intervention 2: Vitamin D3
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: PDT is a technique that combines a photosensitizing drug and an intense light source to kill tumor cells

Noninvasive fluorescence dosimetry may be performed on up to 6 lesions. Levulan Kerastick will be applied to each lesion and left to incubate for 30 minutes. Blue light (Blu-U device, 20 J/cm2, 33 minutes) will be administered. intervention 2: D3 pills (10,000 IU each) to be taken daily at home, beginning at either day -5 or day -14, as per their assignment

Participants will receive a 5-day or 14-day supplementation of Vitamin D10,000 IU depending on their baseline Vitamin D 25 Hydroxy result

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_002.pdf: 
 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 1  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STUDY NUMBER:  CASE 5619  
 
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT #: NCT04140292 
 
Protocol Date: 4/13/2022 
 
STUDY TITLE:  Vitamin D supplementation as a neoadjuvant for photodynamic therapy 
of actinic keratoses 
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Edward V. Maytin, M.D. Ph.D. 
 
 
 
 
 
Desk A61, Department of Dermatology 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute 
 
 
 
 
 
Cleveland Clinic 
 
 
 
 
 
9500 Euclid Avenue 
 
 
 
 
 
Cleveland, OH   441195 
 
 
 
 
 
(216) 445-6676 
 
 
 
 
 
      maytine@ccf.org 
 
CO-PI: 
 
 
 
Christine Warren, M.D. M.S. 
 
 
 
 
Department of Dermatology, A61 
 
 
 
 
Cleveland Clinic Foundation 
 
 
 
 
9500 Euclid Avenue 
 
 
 
 
Cleveland, OH 44195 
 
 
 
 
WARRENC@ccf.org 
 
STATISTICIAN:  
 
Bo Hu, Ph.D. 
 
 
 
 
Department of Quantitative Health Sciences 
 
 
 
 
Cleveland Clinic Foundation 
 
 
 
 
9500 Euclid Avenue 
 
 
 
 
Cleveland, OH 44195 
 
STUDY COORDINATOR: 
Beverly Doyle 
 
 
 
 
Department of Dermatology, A61 
 
 
 
 
Cleveland Clinic Foundation 
 
 
 
 
9500 Euclid Avenue 
 
 
 
 
Cleveland, OH 44195 
 
 
 
 
doyleb4@ccf.org 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 2  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
SPONSOR:  
 
 
Investigator-initiated (Dr. Maytin) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPORT/FUNDING:  
National Cancer Institute (NCI)  
 
 
 
 
National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda MD 
 
SUPPLIED AGENTS: 
 
Levulan Kerastick (FDA-approved drug) 
 
 
 
 
Cholecalciferol (over-the-counter vitamin) 
 
IND #:  
 
 
 
The study uses nutritional Vitamin D and has been determined 
by the U.S. FDA to be IND-exempt (IND Letter#138378) 
 
 
 
 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 3  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
Title: 
 
Principal Investigator: Edward V. Maytin, M.D. Ph.D. 
 
 
 
 
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR SIGNATURE: 
 
 
_______________________________________ 
 
Date: ___________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 4  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
SUMMARY OF CHANGES 
 
 
Protocol 
Date 
Section 
Change 
 
 
Initial IRB approval 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 5  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
STUDY SCHEMA 
Explanatory text for this timeline can be found in the legend to Figure 5. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 6  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
 
 
PROTOCOL SUMMARY 
 
Protocol Number/Title 
Vitamin D supplementation as a neoadjuvant for 
photodynamic therapy of actinic keratoses 
Study Phase 
Phase II  
Brief Background/Rationale 
 
 
 
This is a prospective clinical trial in which 30 patients will 
receive a brief (5-day or 14-day) supplementation with 
10,000 IU of Vitamin D, prior to receiving aminolevulinic 
acid (ALA)- blue light PDT. 
Primary Objective  
Primary Endpoint(s) 
Determine whether acute supplementation (neoadjuvant 
Vitamin D3), adjusted according to baseline Vitamin D 
status, can improve the clinical PDT response relative to 
patients receiving PDT alone. 
Secondary Objective(s) 
Secondary Endpoint(s) 
Determine whether gene polymorphisms in VDR and 
CYP27B1 are predictive for the degree of responsiveness to 
Vitamin D as a neoadjuvant for PDT. 
Exploratory Objective(s) 
Exploratory Endpoints (s) 
Does prior supplementation with 10,000 IU of Vitamin D 
increase the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) 
within actinic keratoses after application of ALA solution 
prior to illumination with blue light PDT? 
Does prior supplementation with 10,000 IU of Vitamin D 
enhance the clinical clearance of actinic keratoses after 
PDT? 
Correlative Objective(s) 
 
Correlative Endpoint(s) 
Is there a correlation between Vitamin D receptor (VDR) 
polymorphisms and PDT treatment outcomes for actinic 
keratoses with and without prior Vitamin D 
supplementation? 
Sample Size 
30 participants (to be compared against already obtained 
control group) 
Disease sites/Conditions 
Actinic keratosis 
Interventions 
Patients receive Vitamin D3 10,000 IU daily for 5 or 14 
days depending on VitD baseline level. They then undergo 
PDT for treatment of actinic keratosis. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 7  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
ABBREVIATIONS  
 
 
 
 
CCCC Case Comprehensive Cancer Center 
CRF 
Case Report Form 
CRU 
Clinical Research Unit 
DSTC 
Data Safety and Toxicity Committee 
FDA 
Food and Drug Administration 
ICF 
Informed Consent Form 
IRB 
Institutional Review Board 
PRMC Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee 
SOC 
Standard of Care 
CCF 
Cleveland Clinic Foundation 
UH 
University Hospitals 
AK 
Actinic Keratosis 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 8  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
0.0 
SCHEMA (Summary Diagram) 
 
1.0  
INTRODUCTION  
 
1.1 
Background of Actinic Keratosis (AK)   
1.2  
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)  
1.3  
PDT combinations with differentiation-enhancing agents 
1.4 
Vitamin D as a promising option to enhance PDT 
1.5 
Preliminary data in mice 
1.6 
Preliminary data in humans 
1.7 
Rationale for the experimental design 
 
2.0 
OBJECTIVES 
2.1 
Primary Objective 
 
2.2  
Secondary Objective(s) 
 
3.0 
STUDY DESIGN 
3.1 
Study design protocol 
3.2 
Number of subjects 
3.3 
Replacement of subjects 
3.4 
Expected duration of subject participation 
 
4.0  
SUBJECT SELECTION 
4.1 
Inclusion Criteria 
4.2  
Exclusion Criteria 
4.3 
Inclusion of Women and Minorities 
 
5.0 
REGISTRATION  
5.1 
Recruitment 
5.2 
Consent 
5.3 
Randomization 
 
 
6.0  
TREATMENT PLAN 
6.1 
Overall descriptive narrative 
6.2 
Duration of Therapy 
6.3 
Duration of Follow Up 
 
7.0 
DOSE DELAYS / DOSE MODIFICATIONS 
 
8.0 
ADVERSE EVENTS AND POTENTIAL RISKS 
 
8.1 
Adverse Events and Potential Risk List  
 
8.1.1 Levulan 
 
8.1.2 Photodynamic Therapy 
8.2 
Definitions 
 
8.2.1 Adverse Events 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 9  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
 
8.2.2 Significance of an Adverse Event 
 
8.2.3 Serious Adverse Events 
 
8.2.4 Expectedness 
 
8.2.5 Attribution 
8.3 
Reporting Procedures for All Adverse Events 
8.4 
Serious Adverse Event Reporting Procedures 
 
8.4.1 Reporting 
 
8.4.2 FDA Reporting 
8.5 
Data Safety Toxicity Committee    
 
9.0 
PHARMACEUTICAL INFORMATION  
9.1 
Investigational Agent(s) 
 
9.2 
Commercial Agent(s) 
 
10.0 
EXPLORATORY/CORRELATIVE  
10.1 
Processing of blood for 25-hydroxy-D3 levels 
10.2 
Processing of blood for leukocyte DNA 
 
11.0 
STUDY PARAMETERS AND CALENDAR 
11.1 
Initial evaluation and screening (Visit 1) 
11.2 
At home 
11.3 
First PDT treatment (Visit 2) 
11.4 
At home 
11.5 
Final observation (Visit 3) 
11.6 
Calendar 
 
12.0 
MEASUREMENT OF EFFECT  
12.1 
Methods for Evaluation of Tumor Response 
  
12.1.1.  Photography 
 
12.1.2.  Noninvasive fluorimetry measurements 
12.2 
Tolerability  
12.3 
Patient Satisfaction 
 
13.0 
RECORDS TO BE KEPT/REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS 
13.1 
Data Reporting 
13.2 
Regulatory Considerations  
 
 
14.0 
STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS 
 
REFERENCES 
 
  
APPENDICES  
1.0 
DNA EXTRACTION FROM WHOLE BLOOD 
 
 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 10  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
 
1.0 
Introduction 
Evidence accumulated over the past few years has led to an interesting new hypothesis, namely, 
that certain pharmacological and hormonal factors that promote terminal differentiation within 
skin cancer and precancer cells can also improve the responsiveness of these lesions to PDT. One 
such regulatory factor is vitamin D (VitD). The other is 5-fluorouracil (5FU), an FDA-approved 
topical agent that is used routinely to treat squamous precancers of the skin. This is a proposal to 
evaluate the use of vitamin D supplementation as a neoadjuvant for Photodynamic Therapy 
(PDT) in the treatment of adults with actinic keratoses, as well as measure biomarkers that are 
relevant to VitD and 5FU metabolism that might be predictive of PDT outcome. We will test a 
hypothesis (based upon our extensive preclinical studies in mice) that induction of a transient 
spike in serum Vitamin D levels through administration of dietary Vitamin D (cholecalciferol; 
D3) can significantly increase PDT efficacy and improve the clearance of actinic keratoses. 
 
 
The biomarkers to be examined include serum VitD levels at the time of PDT, and the 
presence/absence of gene alleles that correlate with expression of several proteins involved in 
VitD and 5FU metabolism. The latter are allelic variants of the VitD receptor (VDR); 1-alpha-
hydroxlase (CYP27B1); and thymidylate synthase. The presence of these biomarkers will be 
correlated to the improvement in AK lesion counts at the patient’s routine follow-up visit 3-6 
months after PDT treatment. Potential benefits of the research could be the development of a 
combination VitD-PDT regimen with improved efficacy, as well as the development of a simple 
test that predicts which patients will respond well vs. respond poorly to PDT, and who might 
benefit from nutritional correction with VitD supplements or from pre-administration of topical 
5FU prior to PDT. The blood collection and assays will be paid for by NIH grant R01 CA204158 
(Dr. Maytin, PI). 
 
 
1.1 
Background of Actinic Keratosis 
Skin cancer is more common than any other human cancer. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma 
(SCC), the second most common form of skin cancer, has an overall metastasis rate of 2% to 3%, 
but can have a metastasis rate as high as 30% to 40% depending on the location, size, depth, 
invasion, and immunosuppression1. Squamous cell carcinoma primarily develops from precursor 
lesions called actinic keratoses (AKs) that typically affect fair-skinned individuals and are 
associated with excessive sun exposure2. Although surgical removal with cryosurgery (liquid 
nitrogen) is an effective, standard-of-care treatment for AKs, this treatment can leave unsightly 
scars and can be difficult for large numbers of AKs. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective 
new alternative for AKs, especially when treating large areas of field cancerization 3. 
 
1.2 
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) 
PDT is a technique that combines a photosensitizing drug and an intense light source to kill 
tumor cells (reviewed in [1-4]). In the most commonly-used type of PDT, 5-aminolevulinic acid 
(5-ALA; ALA; a precursor of porphyrin synthesis within cells) is administered to cause selective 
enhancement of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) synthesis within tumor cells.  PpIX is a porphyrin 
intermediate that strongly absorbs visible light; in other words, PpIX is the actual 
photosensitizer, whereas ALA is a pro-drug. The methyl ester of ALA, methyl-aminolevulinate 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 11  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
(MAL), can also be used as a pro-drug; MAL is cleaved to ALA within the cells. ALA is 
converted into PpIX through a number of enzymatic steps, whereupon PpIX can absorb photons 
of visible light, creating highly reactive singlet oxygen species that damage membranes and kill 
cells [2]. Killing is tumor-specific because ALA is selectively taken up and converted to PpIX at 
a higher rate in neoplastic cells than in normal tissues. To activate the PpIX, visible light 
(between 400 nm and 700 nm wavelengths) is employed because the PpIX molecule contains 
several absorption peaks in this range that can be used to advantage. In the United States, there 
are only two FDA-approved light sources currently available. By far the most common is a blue 
light source, Blue-UTM, 400 nm) which targets the main PpIX absorption peak called the "Soret 
band", also shared with hemoglobin. A red light source (RhodoLEDTM, 635 nm) was also 
recently approved. 
 
The main advantage of PDT with either light source is the fact that PDT, unlike surgical 
excision or ionizing radiation, can eliminate skin cancer and precancers without scarring. In fact, 
PDT has been shown to exert anti-fibrotic and anti-scarring effects [5-7].   
 
Over the past ten years, the Maytin laboratory has shown that when squamous cancer 
cells in animal models are driven to a more terminally differentiated state by exposing them to 
certain differentiation-promoting agents, including 5-fluorouracil and Vitamin D, the cancer cells 
become much more sensitive to PDT [4, 8, 9]. The current proposal aims to test this hypothesis 
using oral Vitamin D as a neoaduvant with PDT of actinic keratoses in humans. 
 
 
 
Figure 2. Principle of differentiation-
enhanced PDT of epithelial cancer. 
 
1.3 
Combining differentiation-enhancing agents with PDT to improve outcomes. 
Starting over a decade ago, our group initiated preclinical efforts to enhance ALA-PDT efficacy, 
not by trying to produce better light sources to improve ALA delivery (already well-optimized), 
but instead by considering the biology of the NMSC tumor cell. Our fundamental observation 
was the discovery that production of the PS (PpIX) in epithelial cancer cells can be affected by 
agents that enhance epithelial differentiation and change the activity of the heme-synthetic 
pathway (Fig. 2). Preconditioning regimens using methotrexate (MTX), 5-fluorouracil (5FU), or 
vitamin D (VD) improve selective accumulation of PpIX within squamous tumors, rendering the 
cancer cells more susceptible to PDT-mediated killing while sparing normal tissues; reviewed in 
[4]. To translate these findings for the first time in the clinic, in 2018 we completed a clinical 
study of one combination regimen (neoadjuvant 5FU and MAL-PDT) for actinic keratoses (AK) 
of the face and scalp (ClinialTrials.gov NCT01525329). When one half of the face was 
pretreated with 5FU, and the other half was left untreated prior to MAL application and 
illumination with red light, the results showed nearly a 2-fold clinical benefit in terms of lesion 
clearance [10]. Although the 5FU combination approach was advantageous for many patients 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 12  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
with actinic keratoses, some 5FU non-responders were seen in our trial. Therefore, not everyone 
benefits from this particular combination. In fact, therapeutic responses to any combination PDT 
regimen will likely be patient-specific, and therefore it is very important to have several different 
treatment options available.   
 
1.4.  Vitamin D (VD) as a promising option to enhance PDT.   
Vitamin D is a very interesting alternative to other PDT-enhancing agents. 5FU and MTX both 
act by targeting DNA synthesis, whereas VD acts by regulating multiple physiological targets. 
As shown in Fig. 3, vitamin D3 (D3; cholecalciferol) is a natural pro-hormone produced in the 
skin via a reaction catalyzed by sunlight. It can also be obtained from the diet. D3 undergoes 
sequential addition of two hydroxyl groups, first in the liver and second in the kidney. The final 
active form, calcitriol (1,25diOH-D3) binds to the vitamin D receptor (VDR), and the liganded 
receptor binds to DNA in the nucleus to regulate the expression of multiple target genes, 
including those that regulate calcium metabolism, growth, and differentiation [11]. Our 
preclinical data show that calcitriol can also stimulate changes in gene expression that result in 
increased ALA-mediated PpIX production in skin tumors. 
 
 
 
Figure 3.  Regulation of enzymes that 
lead to production of calcitriol. The 
natural agent, D3, is made in the skin 
during sun exposure, or obtained from the 
diet. D3 is hydroxylated once in the liver, 
and again in the kidney. Activity of 1α -
hydroxylase (CYP27B1) is highly 
regulated in the kidney but not in 
extrarenal tissues or in tumors. Calcitriol 
downregulates its own production by 
inhibiting CYP27B1, and upregulates its 
degradation by increasing the enzyme 
CYP24A1. [12] 
 
In our early preclinical work in mice, we used the active form of VD (calcitriol) to elicit a 
beneficial enhancement of PDT for skin cancer.  However, a problem with calcitriol is its 
inherent risk of inducing hypercalcemia. If one could use natural D3 instead, we reasoned, then 
the risk of driving up serum calcium levels would be obviated. Also, approval by the FDA would 
not be required since D3 is not a drug. However, we first had to show that dietary D3 can work, 
which is not at all obvious when one considers the many steps in VD metabolism that are highly 
regulated (Fig. 3). Normal serum levels of calcidiol (the form of VD measured in patients) are 
typically 1,000-fold higher than serum levels of calcitriol, underscoring just how tightly the 
production of calcitriol is regulated [4]. One cannot simply assume that giving oral D3 
supplements will raise calcitriol levels. However, an important notion suggested by the Feldman 
group at Stanford is that many tumors make their own 1α -hydroxylase, allowing them to convert 
calcidiol to calcitriol directly within tumor tissues [13, 14]. To test whether dietary D3 can 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 13  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
circumvent normal VD regulation and drive enhanced ALA-mediated PpIX production in skin 
tumors, we performed experiments using oral D3 supplementation in SCC-bearing mice. The 
results were highly positive and showed significant PpIX induction within tumors [12]. 
Therefore, we believe it is now time to move into the clinic to perform clinical trials that can 
establish oral D3/PDT as a new combination therapy for skin cancer. VD represents a potentially 
excellent neoadjuvant for clinical PDT for two reasons.  First, our preclinical data in cell and 
animal models suggest a large beneficial effect. Second, VD is by far the safest of the three 
agents we have identified as PDT-enhancers. Methotrexate is a systemic drug with potential liver 
toxicity. 5FU is a systemic drug used for colon cancer and as a topical agent for early SCC, but 
may not penetrate thick tumors. Oral D3, by comparison, is very safe and should provide deep 
delivery to nodular BCC or moderately thick SCC in situ.  Preliminary data to support these 
assertions are offered in the next section. 
 
In this clinical trial, we propose to administer natural vitamin D to AK patients prior to PDT, in 
order to potentially improve their therapeutic response to PDT. After informed consent, we will 
collect a sample of blood from the patients to do two types of measurements, as follows. (1) 
serum levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25OH-D3; calcidiol), the vitamin D intermediate 
routinely measured in clinical assays. Calcidiol is a surrogate for the final active form of vitamin 
D (1, 25-diOH-D3; calcitriol); calcitriol is the hormonal form that binds to the VDR and 
mediates most of vitamin D’s physiological actions, including upregulation of PpIX synthesis 
within tumor cells [8].   (2) DNA from the patients’ leukocytes (white blood cells) to test 
biomarkers that have been reported to predict the activity of two proteins that regulate Vitamin D 
synthesis and hormonal activity, namely, 1-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) and Vitamin D 
Receptor (VDR), respectively.  Details about the PCR-based assays for these biomarkers are 
discussed in Section 10 (Correlative/Special Studies).    
 
1.5 Preliminary data in mice, supporting the idea that VD status affects PDT outcomes and 
that neoadjuvant VD effectively boosts PpIX levels in precancerous and cancerous lesions 
 
Our clinical studies are based upon the Maytin laboratory’s preclinical work over the last decade 
[4], showing that epithelial tumors are more responsive to ALA-based PDT when “primed” by 
pre-exposure to VitD. Cancer cells in culture[15] and NMSC tumors in mice[8] were shown to 
produce more PpIX and more photoactivation (tumor cell killing) if first exposed for ~3 d to 
calcitriol. Our enthusiasm for this approach was temporarily dampened because calcitriol, if 
overdosed, can induce hypercalcemia. However, we have now shown that D3 (the natural dietary 
form of VitD, which carries little to no hypercalcemic risk) can selectively elevate PpIX levels in 
murine NMSC tumors as efficiently as systemic calcitriol [12]. Based upon these preliminary 
data, clinical studies in the current proposal are designed to test the hypothesis that oral D3 
supplements, administered over a relatively short time, can boost the effectiveness of ALA-PDT 
for NMSC in human patients. In mice, we have now shown that D3 (the natural dietary form of 
VD, which carries little to no hypercalcemic risk) can selectively elevate PpIX levels in murine 
skin tumors as efficiently as systemic calcitriol [12]. Based upon these preliminary data, clinical 
studies in the current proposal are designed to test the hypothesis that oral D3 supplements, 
administered over a relatively short time, can boost the effectiveness of ALA-PDT for NMSC in 
human patients. In addition, because the majority of people in the U.S. are VD deficient, we will 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 14  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
assess whether or not a patient’s VD status (deficient, normal, or replete) can predict therapeutic 
responsiveness to ALA-PDT. 
 
It has long been thought that VD may be beneficial for suppressing carcinogenesis, an important 
factor in the development of precancerous and cancerous lesions. For example, in an oral 
carcinogenesis protocol, VD receptor (VDR) knockout mice developed more BCC than their wild 
type littermates [16]. BCNS patients tend to be VD deficient, which may hasten BCC 
development [17]. BCC tumor cells harbor the VDR [18, 19]. The latter fact may be useful if 
using VD to stimulate PpIX production requires the VDR (which we hope to partially validate by 
collecting patients’ leukocyte DNA and examining VDR gene sequences directly).  
 
Other preliminary data using oral D3 supplementation in mice with skin tumors (Fig. 4) 
indicate that VD-deficient individuals may be significantly less responsive to ALA-PDT than 
subjects with normal VD levels. In tumor-bearing mice that were rendered VD deficient on a D3 
free diet (as verified by 25OH-D3 serum assay), the administration of ALA to induce PpIX 
synthesis in tumors produced only 50% of the usual amount of PpIX (Fig. 4; 1st and 2nd bars). In 
the VD deficient mice, a short course of neoadjuvant D3 (10,000 IU/d of a human equivalent 
dose) for 3 d failed to boost intratumoral PpIX production to the same extent as in VD replete 
mice (Fig. 4; 3rd and 4th bars).  However, if the course of neoadjuvant D3 was lengthened to 10 d, 
then both the VD-deficient and VD-normal mice experienced the same benefit, in terms of 
similar increases in PpIX levels (Fig. 4; 5th and 6th bars). These data inform our selection of 
conditions for D3 supplementation in the clinical trials. We will give a neoadjuvant D3 boost to 
patients with AKs, prior to ALA-PDT, that is tailored to their initial baseline VD levels. Thus, 
patients with normal VD levels will take D3 pills for 5 days, whereas patients with low VD levels 
will take D3 for 14 d.  
 
 
Figure 4.  Effect of VD deficiency upon production of PpIX 
photosensitizer in skin tumors. Nude mice were made VD 
deficient by feeding for 4-weeks with a no-D3 diet (gray 
bars); controls ate a normal diet (white bars). Serum levels 
of 25OH-D3 in the VD-def mice dropped to  3 ± 2 ng/mL, 
compared to 25±4 ng/mL in normal mice (data not shown). 
SCC cells (A431) were implanted s.c. and allowed to grow 
for 10 d. The neoadjuvant D3 regimen (oral D3, using a 10x 
high D3 diet) was given for 3 d or for 10 d, immediately 
prior to giving ALA by i.p. injection. Four hours later, 
tumors were harvested for PpIX analysis by confocal 
fluorescence microscopy of frozen tumor sections. 
 
 
1.6 Preliminary data in humans suggest that PDT can be enhanced by supplementing with 
Vitamin D. 
There is good reason to think that endogenous VD levels are important for growth and 
development of NMSC. Literature data show that low 25OH-D3 levels correlate with higher 
cancer risk in human populations, with evidence being fairly convincing for BCC [17, 20, 21], 
but still understudied for SCC [22] . Vitamin D may have a protective effect against UVB-
induced damage by preventing formation of cyclobutane dimers in DNA[23-25] and by inducing 
DNA repair enzymes [26]. Many of these effects are mediated through the VD receptor (VDR), 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 15  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
since VDR knockout mice are more susceptible to developing skin cancers, both SCC [27] and 
BCC [16] . Questions remain about whether all VDR-mediated effects are dependent upon 
calcitriol or other VD metabolites [27, 28]. Nevertheless, the VDR appears important as a 
suppressor of skin cancer development. We postulate that skin cancers in patients with low VD 
levels may be harder to cure with PDT than in patients with normal VD levels, due to lower 
activity of the heme synthesis pathway, or if patients have a variant of VDR which is less 
transcriptionally active. 
 
Recently, an association was found between VDR polymorphisms (allelic variants of the 
VDR gene) and cancer risk. Epidemiologic approaches have shown a strong correlation between 
VDR polymorphisms and the risk for melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer development [29, 
30]. In a paper from 2001 by Whitfield et al., the variants of the VDR were studied. The Fok1 
polymorphism is frequently associated with nonmelanoma skin cancer and is known to alter the 
function and expression levels of the VDR[31]. The most common Fok1 polymorphism, which 
we define as the F allele, is a protein of 424 residues encoded from DNA on exon II. A single 
nucleotide substitution in Fok1, three residues upstream from the F allele start site, creates a new 
translation start site that encodes a protein of 427 amino acids. We define this as the f allele. 
Individuals with the ff, Ff, and FF have the least, intermediate, and most active vitamin D 
receptor transcriptional activity, respectively. The most active VDR’s had 7-fold greater activity 
in comparison to the low activity receptors. The Fok1 polymorphisms interact with another 
polymorphic site (L/S), which also alters the transcriptional activity of the VDR.  This other 
polymorphic site has adenosine (A) repeats in the 3’-UTR of the VDR gene[32]. This stretch of 
DNA varies widely, but can be divided into long (L) and short (S) groups. The long (L) group 
contains 17-24 adenosine repeats. The short (S) group contains 10-15 adenosine repeats. VDR 
variants with the LL genotype had around 8-fold higher transcriptional activity than the SS 
variants. When VDR variants with the FF*LL genotype were compared to the variants with the 
ff*SS genotype, a 10-15 fold increase in transcriptional activity was found[31].   
 
 
1.7.  Rationale for the experimental design of our proposed trial 
This is a phase 2 clinical trial of patients with actinic keratosis (AK) that will examine a 
combination regimen of Vitamin D plus PDT, and compare its efficacy to controls who 
underwent PDT alone in a prior study from the Maytin group (IRB 16-1615). Patients will be 
enrolled at the Cleveland Clinic. Each patient will be matched to patients from the prior study 
based upon baseline calcidiol levels.  
 
In order to assess the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX in the skin, a noninvasive fluorescence 
dosimeter will be used to measure PpIX accumulation in areas of both actinic damage and normal 
skin[33]. Serum levels of calcidiol, a routine clinical marker of vitamin D status, will be 
measured in each patient in order to match each patient with a matched control patient. The 
overall outcome of the Vitamin D/PDT regimen will be evaluated against the control group by 
finding the percent reduction of AK lesions at the 3-month follow-up visit. Patient blood samples 
will be taken to determine assess the relationship between VDR polymorphisms and treatment 
response in patients undergoing photodynamic therapy for AK.  
 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 16  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
2.0  
OBJECTIVES 
 
The main objective of this proposal is to determine whether oral vitamin D3 supplements, used 
as a neoadjuvant for PDT, can be used to enhance PDT treatment of AKs. Our primary 
hypothesis is that prior supplementation (5 or 14 days) with 10,000 IU of Vitamin D3 enhances 
the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of actinic keratoses (AK) by 
increasing the accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) inside the precancerous cells, leading 
to increased photoactivation during PDT. A sub-hypothesis is that it may be possible to predict 
which patients will respond to the neoadjuvant VitD, based upon the allelic status of their VDR. 
Our long-term goal is to develop a novel and practical way to make PDT more effective in the 
treatment of AKs and perhaps other nonmelanoma skin cancers as well. 
 
2.1  
Primary Objective 
 Determine whether acute supplementation (neoadjuvant Vitamin D3), adjusted 
according to baseline Vitamin D status, can improve the clinical PDT response 
relative to patients receiving PDT alone. 
Aim 1: Does prior Vitamin D supplementation increase the effectiveness of PDT for the 
treatment of actinic keratoses (squamous cell carcinoma precursor lesions)?  
Patients who come to the dermatology clinic for PDT of facial AK will be invited to enroll in a 
prospective clinical trial in which they will receive a brief (5-day or 14-day) supplementation 
with 10,000 IU of Vitamin D, prior to receiving aminolevulinic acid (ALA)- blue light PDT. A 
baseline vitamin D (calcidiol) level will be taken for each patient. Patients will be matched to 
other patients from prior studies involving PDT only, based on their baseline vitamin D level.  
Subaim 1a: Does prior supplementation with 10,000 IU of Vitamin D increase the 
accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) within actinic keratoses after application of ALA 
solution prior to illumination with blue light PDT? 
Thirty minutes after applying the photosensitizing agent, ALA, a fluorescence dosimeter will be 
used to measure PpIX accumulation in areas of both actinic damage and normal skin17. The level 
of calcidiol, a clinically accepted marker of vitamin D status, will be measured in each patient. 
Subaim 1b: Does prior supplementation with 10,000 IU of Vitamin D enhance the 
clinical clearance of actinic keratoses after PDT? 
Percent reduction of actinic keratoses at a 3-month follow-up visit will be used to evaluate the 
overall outcome of PDT with and without prior Vitamin D supplementation.  
 
 
2.2 
Secondary Objective(s) 
 
 Determine whether gene polymorphisms in VDR and CYP27B1 are predictive for 
the degree of responsiveness to Vitamin D as a neoadjuvant for PDT. 
 
Aim 1: Is there a correlation between Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms and PDT 
treatment outcomes for actinic keratoses with and without prior Vitamin D 
supplementation?  
Leukocyte DNA will be collected to assess the relationship between VDR polymorphisms and 
treatment response in patients undergoing photodynamic therapy for actinic keratoses. Patients 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 17  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
will be genotyped to determine the presence of F/f and L/S alleles. These findings will be 
correlated with the therapeutic responsiveness to ALA-PDT, with or without vitamin D 
enhancement. 
 
 
These studies propose to test and demonstrate that vitamin D3 pretreatment can be used to 
enhance porphyrin accumulation and PDT efficacy in the treatment of AKs.  PDT is approved by 
the FDA for the field treatment of widespread precancerous lesions of the skin. In Europe, PDT 
is also approved for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma of the 
skin. We expect this clinical trial to support the foundation for a new treatment modality, vitamin 
D3-enhanced PDT, for the treatment of AKs and other nonmelanoma skin cancers. This data 
would benefit public health by demonstrating this approach to be a simple, safe, and effective 
treatment for AKs, as well as supporting its use as a nonscarring alternative to surgery for early 
squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas. 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 18  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
3.0 
STUDY DESIGN 
 
3.1  
Study Design Protocol  
This is a non-randomized interventional trial, in which the study group will be compared to a 
baseline cohort of patients from a previous study (IRB 16-1615) who received the same regimen of 
PDT, but without any Vit D. Our protocol is shown in Fig. 5. The dose of D3 chosen for this study 
reflects the best currently available evidence regarding efficacy, safety, and practicality of oral D3 
dosing. In our mouse studies, the human equivalent of 10,000 IU given daily for 10 d, provided 
better PpIX enhancement than 5,000 IU/d x 10 d, with no evident toxicity [12]. In normal mice, 3 d 
of daily 10,000 IU were just as good as 10 d for boosting PpIX levels in tumors; however, the 3-
day regimen worked only about half as well in VD-deficient mice (prelim data; Fig. 4). 
Importantly however, 10 d were sufficient to restore the PpIX elevating effect in VD deficient 
animals (Fig. 4). Therefore, we will tailor the neoadjuvant D3 dose in this clinical trial, according 
to initial serum 25OH-D3 levels, to maximize convenience and safety, while testing for 
equivalence of therapeutic benefit. Specifically, study patients with normal VD levels will take a 
daily 10,000 IU D3 pill for 3-5 d, while patients with suboptimal VD levels will take the D3 pill 
for 10-14 d. (Ranges are given to compensate for patients possibly missing a day or two). 
Regarding safety, the doses of D3 that physicians use to treat VD deficiency can be remarkably 
high, including 5,000 IU (oral, daily, continuous), 50,000 IU (oral, twice weekly for 5 weeks), and 
500,000 IU (i.m., single dose); all are reported safe and effective[34]. Our dosing regimen is well 
within these safe ranges. 
 
Figure 5.  Study Design.  
At Visit 1, patients will be given oral D3 to take for either 5 days or 14 days (according to their normal or 
deficient 25OH-D3 level, respectively) prior to the PDT treatment at Visit 2. Mandatory F/U visit at 3 months 
(Visit 3).   After that, patients will be followed clinically every 6-12 months. 
 
Study patients will have three mandatory visits. At Visit #1, patients will sign the ICF and have 
their blood drawn. A vitamin D-relevant history will be taken, and CIS lesions counted by a 
clinician. The patient will be given enough D3 pills (10,000 IU each) to be taken daily at home, 
beginning at either day -5 or day -14, as per their assignment (see above). At Visit #2, to assess 
how much PpIX is generated in the skin, ten lesions will be measured using our fluorescence 
probe dosimeter (before and after ALA application). PDT will then be performed. At Visit #3 
(which is 3-6 months after PDT), the patient’s lesions will be counted to assess the treatment 
response). 
 
3.2 
Number of Subjects 
A total of 30 patients with at least 10 AKs will be needed to complete the study. 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 19  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
 
3.3 
Replacement of Subjects  
If a study subject withdraws for any reason, up to 6 months after the start of this study, then a 
new subject can be recruited in his/her place. 
 
3.4  
Expected Duration of Subject Participation 
 
3.4.1  Duration of Therapy 
The study consists of a single blood draw, to be collected by routine phlebotomy on the day of 
PDT treatment or within 1 week of the treatment. 
The principal investigator reserves the right to temporarily suspend or prematurely discontinue 
this study. The date and reason for discontinuation will be documented.  Every effort will be 
made to complete the appropriate assessments.  
 
3.4.2 Duration of Follow Up 
 
Patients will be followed for 3 months, as specified in the study Calendar; see section 11.0. The 
treatment (PDT) will occur at Visit 2, followed at 3 months by a follow-up evaluation (within a 
window extending from 3-6 months after Visit 2) .  


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 20  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
4.0 
PATIENT SELECTION 
This section shows a checklist of criteria (sections 4.1 to 4.3) that must be met in order 
for a patient to be considered eligible for this study.  A checklist with this information 
will be used to confirm a patient’s eligibility.  It will be completed for each patient, then 
signed and dated by the treating physician, and a nurse or physician unaffiliated with the 
principal investigator, as shown below.   
 
PATIENT’S NAME      _______________________________________________________________________ 
 
MEDICAL RECORD # _______________________________________________________________________ 
 
A)  SIGNATURE OF PERSON 
      DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY ___________________________                        DATE: ____/____/____ 
                                                                                                                                               mm   dd     yyyy 
B) SIGNATURE OF PERSON 
     CONFIRMING ELIGIBILITY:  ___________________________                        DATE: ____/____/____ 
                                                                                                                                               mm    dd    yyyy 
 
C) INVESTIGATOR  SIGNATURE: _________________________                       DATE: ____/____/____ 
                                                                                                                                               mm   dd    yyyy 
 
4.1 
Inclusion Criteria 
 
4.1.1  Patients can be males of females of at least 18 years of age. Patients need to have actinic 
keratoses in sufficient numbers (>10) to warrant PDT therapy in our clinic. 
  
 
4.1.2 Female subjects must not become pregnant during the study 
 
The effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid (LevulanTM) on the human fetus are unknown.  For 
this reason, women of child-bearing potential must agree to use contraception (double 
barrier method of birth control or abstinence) prior to study entry, and throughout study 
participation. Should a woman become pregnant or suspect that she is pregnant while she 
is participating in this study, she should inform the treating physician immediately. 
4.1.3 Subjects must be able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent 
document. 
 
4.2 
Exclusion Criteria 
4.2.1 Pregnant or nursing. 
4.2.2 At risk for hypercalcemia (renal disease, sarcoidosis, etc.) 
4.2.3 Using topical retinoids, since these can exacerbate the post-PDT erythema reaction. 
4.2.4 Using any topical treatment on their AKs; must stop at least one month prior. 
4.2.5 Currently undergoing treatment for other cancers with medical or radiation therapy. 
4.2.6 Patients with a known hypersensitivity to 5-aminolevulinic acid or any component of the 
study material. 
4.2.7 Patients with history of a photosensitivity disease, such as porphyria cutanea tarda. 
4.2.8 Currently participating in another clinical trial. 
 
4.3 
Inclusion of Women, Children, and Minorities   
Men and women at least 18 years of age of any ethnic group are eligible for this trial, as 
long as they fulfill the eligibility criteria.  


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 21  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
5.0 
REGISTRATION 
 
5.1  
Recruitment  
Patients who have been scheduled to receive PDT in our dermatology clinics will be given 
written information prior to their visit, including a copy of the Informed Consent (IC) that 
describes the purpose of the study. If the patient indicates that he/she is interested, the physician 
or study nurse will review the IC with the patient on the day of PDT and answer all questions. 
After the patient signs the IC, the patient will be directed to the phlebotomy lab in the Crile 
building (Crile A1) to have blood drawn. 
 
5.2  
Consent:  
 
When a patient is referred for the study, he/she will be given information about the study and all 
its components.  An Informed Consent will be mailed to the patient at least 72 h prior to the first 
visit.  If the patient continues to be interested in the study, he/she will be scheduled for the first 
visit in Dermatology.  Once the patient arrives in clinic, the study will be explained once again. 
If the patient indicates understanding and wishes to enroll in the study, he will be asked to sign 
the consent form with the understanding that he can change his mind at any time during the 
study. The informed consent must be signed by the patient, and by a parent or legal guardian if 
the patient is a minor, and witnessed.  The participant will be given contact phone numbers to 
call if questions arise as the study proceeds. 
 
5.3  
Randomization: 
 
 
There will be no randomization procedures. 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 22  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
6.0  TREATMENT  PLAN 
 
6.1.   VISIT 1: As part of the Informed Consent process, the patient will be seen in the clinic for 
a full screening visit (Visit 1), including a review of medical records and a physical exam. 
Informed Consent will be obtained on-site. AK lesions will be carefully evaluated to determine if 
the patient meets eligibility criteria (> 10 AK lesions).  A study nurse from the CRU will draw 
two tubes of blood, one for serum D3 assay, the other for leukocyte collection (buffy coat) and 
preparation of DNA. The patient will be sent home after scheduling the date of the next visit, in 
approximately 1 month.   
Evaluation procedures at Visit 1:  Blood will be collected in two tubes: one with an 
anticoagulant (e.g. heparin) and the other without. The nonheparinized tube will be sent to CCF 
Clinical Laboratory Medicine for routine measurement of vitamin D (calcidiol) serum levels. 
The heparinized tube will be transported to Dr. Maytin’s laboratory for preparation of leukocyte 
DNA (see Procedure B). 
 
VISIT 2: Treatment procedure: The patient will return on the treatment day, and all AK 
lesions will be carefully marked with a water-soluble pen, photographed and mapped.  PDT will 
then be conducted as per our routine procedure, as follows. The prodrug (5-aminolevulinic acid, 
5-ALA; Levulan® Kerastick™, 20% Topical Solution) is applied to the entire involved area of 
skin, allowed to dry, and left on the skin surface for a period of time between 15 to 30 min (for 
AK of the face and scalp). During that time, the 5-ALA prodrug is selectively absorbed by 
preneoplastic cells and is converted within the cells’ mitochondria into protoporphyrin IX (the 
molecule that constitutes the actual phototarget). The patient is positioned under the light source 
(Blu-U, 400 nm wavelength), wearing protective yellow goggles, and is illuminated for 30 min. 
Upon completion of PDT, aftercare steps are explained to the patient, and then the patient is sent 
home with emollient samples and written aftercare instructions. A questionaire of side effects 
during the 6 days post-PDT will be filled out at home. 
 
Visit 3: Final evaluation visit (3 months post-PDT):  AK lesions will be counted and 
photographed.  
 
6.2 
Duration of Therapy 
The target duration of therapy 3 months. In the absence of treatment delays due to adverse 
events, treatments may administered unless one of the following criteria applies: 
(i) 
Intercurrent illness prevents administration of treatment.  
(ii) 
The investigator considers it, for safety reasons, to be in the best interest of the patient. 
(iii)  
Unacceptable adverse event(s), including: general or specific changes in the patient’s 
condition render the patient unacceptable for further treatment in the judgment of the 
investigator; patient decision to withdraw from treatment (partial consent) or from the 
study (full consent); pregnancy during the course of the study for a child-bearing 
participant; death. The Principal Investigator reserves the right to temporarily suspend or 
prematurely discontinue this study. 
 
6.3 
Duration of Follow Up 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 23  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
Patients will be followed for 3 months, as specified in the study Calendar; section 11.0. The 
single treatment will occur at Visit 2, at 3 months prior to the last visit. No formal study follow-
up is planned after completion of 3 months, but every effort will be made to encourage patients 
to return at 6 month intervals for 2 years for routine examination, at which time will document 
AK status (clearance/recurrence) in our PDT database registry, and provide additional standard-
of-care as needed. 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 24  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
7.0   
DOSING DELAYS / DOSE MODIFICATIONS 
 
In photodynamic therapy, two types of dosing must be considered: (1) the dose of prodrug; (2) 
the dose of light. The prodrug, LevulanTM, is a liquid preparation with a fixed concentration of 
20% aminolevulinic acid (ALA) that is delivered topically as a uniform film that dries upon 
application to the skin. The delivered of dose of ALA cannot be changed, but the effective 
concentration of the photosensitizer (PpIX) in the skin can be controlled by shortening or 
lengthening the incubation time.  Once ALA has been converted into PpIX within the tumor 
cells, PpIX is activated by shining the light (either blue or red wavelengths). Photons are 
delivered from an FDA-approved light source (Blu-UTM for blue light at 400 nm; AktiliteTM for 
red light at 635 nm) at a fixed dose rate, measured in Joules/m2/sec.  The product of the dose rate 
and the illumination time gives the final light dose. The light dose that is safe and effective for 
treatment of actinic keratosis using a continuous blue light illumination protocol is 20 J/cm2 
(Kaw, Maytin et al, J Am Acad Dermatol, 2019, in press). In the proposed study, all AKs will be 
treated with blue light at 20 J/cm2, following a standardized ALA incubation time of 30 minutes 
prior to illumination. 
 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 25  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
8.0 
ADVERSE EVENTS: LIST AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 
 
The following is a list of AEs (Section 8.1) and the reporting requirements associated with 
observed AEs (Sections 8.3 and 8.4).  
 
The clinical course of each event will be followed until resolution, stabilization, or until it has 
been determined that the study treatment or participation is not the cause. Serious adverse events 
that are still ongoing at the end of the study period will necessitate follow-up to determine the 
final outcome. Any serious adverse event that occurs after the study period and is considered to 
be possibly related to the study treatment or study participation will be recorded and reported 
immediately. 
 
8.1 
Adverse Events and Potential Risks  
 
8.1.1 LevulanTM 
ALA is a natural component found in all cells in the human body. The application of ALA mixed 
in an alcohol-based vehicle (Kerastick) is not associated with any risks or side effects. 
 
8.1.2 Photodynamic Therapy 
When ALA is converted into PpIX in tumor cells, and illuminated with light, the following signs 
and symptoms are known to occur as part of the therapeutic response: 
(i) 
Stinging and/or burning sensation:  >50% 
(ii) 
Erythema (localized redness): 35% 
(iii) 
Edema, localized: >35%  
(iv) 
Peeling, transient: <50% 
(v) 
Blister formation:  rare 
 
8.1.3 Photodynamic Therapy response (with local cutaneous effects):  
The constellation of transient local symptoms of stinging and/or burning, itching, erythema and 
edema as a result of LEVULAN KERASTICK Topical Solution plus BLU-U treatment was 
observed in all clinical studies of LEVULAN KERASTICK for Topical Solution Photodynamic 
Therapy for actinic keratoses treatment. Stinging and/or burning subsided between 1 minute and 
24 hours after the BLU-U Blue Light Photodynamic Therapy Illuminator was turned off, and 
appeared qualitatively similar to that perceived by patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria 
upon exposure to sunlight. There was no clear drug dose or light dose dependent change in the 
incidence or severity of stinging and/or burning. 
8.1.4 Extra-cutaneous adverse experiences reported:  
In Phase 3 studies, no non-cutaneous adverse events were found to be consistently associated 
with LEVULAN KERASTICK Topical Solution application followed by blue light exposure. No 
clinically significant patterns of clinical laboratory changes were observed for standard serum 
chemical or hematologic parameters in any of the controlled clinical trials.  
8.1.5 Safety in pregnancy:   
No carcinogenicity testing has been carried out using ALA. No evidence of mutagenic effects 
was seen in four studies conducted with ALA to evaluate this potential. No assessment of effects 
of ALA HCl on fertility has been performed in laboratory animals. It is unknown what effects 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 26  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
systemic exposure to ALA HCl might have on fertility or reproductive function. Therefore, 
Levulan is considered as Pregnancy Category C. 
 
8.2 
Definitions  
 
8.2.1 
Adverse Events   
 
An adverse event (AE) is any unfavorable or unintended event, physical or psychological, associated 
with a research study, which causes harm or injury to a research participant as a result of the participant’s 
involvement in a research study. The event can include abnormal laboratory findings, symptoms, or 
disease associated with the research study. The event does not necessarily have to have a causal 
relationship with the research, any risk associated with the research, the research intervention, or the 
research assessments.  
 
Adverse events may be the result of the interventions and interactions used in the research; the 
collection of identifiable private information in the research; an underlying disease, disorder, or 
condition of the subject; and/or other circumstances unrelated to the research or any underlying 
disease, disorder, or condition of the subject. In general, adverse events that are at least partially 
the result of (a) or (b) would be considered related to the research, whereas adverse events solely 
related to (c) or (d) would be considered unrelated to the research.  
External adverse events are adverse events experienced by subjects enrolled in multicenter 
clinical trials at sites other than the site(s) over which the Institutional Review Board has 
jurisdiction.  
Internal adverse events are adverse events experienced by subjects enrolled at the site(s) under 
the IRB’s jurisdiction for either multicenter or single-center research projects.  
 
8.2.2  The significance of an adverse event is used to describe the patient/event outcome or 
action criteria associated with events that pose a threat to a patient’s life or functioning (i.e., 
moderate, severe or life threatening).  Based on the National Cancer Institute Guidelines for the 
Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, severity can be defined by the following grades of events: 
 
 
Grades 1 are mild adverse events. (e.g., minor event requiring no specific medical intervention; 
asymptomatic laboratory findings only; marginal clinical relevance) 
 
Grades 2 are moderate adverse events (e.g., minimal intervention; local intervention; non-
invasive intervention; transfusion; elective interventional radiological procedure; therapeutic 
endoscopy or operation). 
 
Grades 3 are severe and undesirable adverse events (e.g., significant symptoms requiring 
hospitalization or invasive intervention; transfusion; elective interventional radiological 
procedure; therapeutic endoscopy or operation). 
 
Grades 4 are life threatening or disabling adverse events (e.g., complicated by acute, life-
threatening metabolic or cardiovascular complications such as circulatory failure, hemorrhage, 
sepsis; life–threatening physiologic consequences; need for intensive care or emergent invasive 
procedure; emergent interventional radiological procedure, therapeutic endoscopy or operation). 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 27  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
Grades 5 are fatal adverse events resulting in death.     
 
8.2.3   Serious Adverse Events  
A serious adverse event (SAE) is any adverse experience occurring at any dose that results in any 
of the following outcomes:  
 Results in death.  
 Is a life-threatening adverse experience.  The term life-threatening in the definition of 
serious refers to an adverse event in which the subject was at risk of death at the time of 
the event.  It does not refer to an adverse event which hypothetically might have caused 
death if it were more severe.  
 Requires inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization.  Any 
adverse event leading to hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization will be 
considered as Serious, UNLESS at least one of the following expectations is met: 
o The admission results in a hospital stay of less than 12 hours OR 
o The admission is pre-planned (i.e., elective or scheduled surgery arranged 
prior to the start of the study) OR 
o The admission is not associated with an adverse event (e.g., social 
hospitalization for purposes of respite care. 
However it should be noted that invasive treatment during any hospitalization may fulfill 
the criteria of “medically important” and as such may be reportable as a serious adverse 
event dependant on clinical judgment.  In addition where local regulatory authorities 
specifically require a more stringent definition, the local regulation takes precedent.  
 Results in persistent or significant disability/incapacity.  The definition of disability is a 
substantial disruption of a person’s ability to conduct normal life’s functions. 
 Is a congenital anomaly/birth defect.  
 Is an important medical event.  Important medical events that may not result death, be 
life-threatening, or require hospitalization may be considered a serious adverse experience 
when, based upon appropriate medical judgment, they may jeopardize the patient or 
subject and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the outcomes 
listed in this definition.  Examples of such medical events include allergic bronchospasm 
requiring intensive treatment in an emergency room or at home, blood disease or 
disorders, or convulsions that do not result in inpatient hospitalization, or the development 
of drug dependency or drug abuse. 
 
8.2.4 Expectedness 
Adverse Events can be Expected or Unexpected. 
 
An expected adverse event is an event previously known or anticipated to result from participation in the 
research study or any underlying disease, disorder, or condition of the subject. The event is usually listed 
in the Investigator Brochure, consent form or research protocol.  
 
An unexpected adverse event is an adverse event not previously known or anticipated to result from the 
research study or any underlying disease, disorder, or condition of the subject.  
 
8.2.5 Attribution 
Attribution is the relationship between an adverse event or serious adverse event and the study 
drug.  Attribution will be assigned as follows: 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 28  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
 
 Definite – The AE is clearly related to the study drug. 
 Probable – The AE is likely related to the study drug. 
 Possible – The AE may be related to the study drug. 
 Unlikely – The AE is doubtfully related to the study drug. 
 Unrelated – The AE is clearly NOT related to the study drug. 
 
8.3  
Reporting Procedures for All Adverse Events 
This section is not yet determined, pending the outcome of our application to the FDA. 
All participating investigators will assess the occurrence of AEs throughout the subject’s 
participation in the study. The clinical course of each event will be followed until resolution, 
stabilization, or until it has been determined that the study treatment or participation is not the 
cause.   
 
The investigator is responsible for ensuring that all adverse events observed by the investigator 
or reported by the subject which occur after the subject has signed the informed consent are fully 
recorded in the subject’s case report form, subject’s medical records, and/or any other 
institutional requirement. Source documentation must be available to support all adverse events.  
 
A laboratory test abnormality considered clinically relevant (e.g., causing the subject to 
withdraw from the study), requiring treatment or causing apparent clinical manifestations, or 
judged relevant by the investigator, should be reported as an adverse event.   
 
The investigator will provide the following for all adverse events: 
 Description of the event 
 Date of onset and resolution 
 Grade of toxicity  
 Attribution of relatedness to the investigational agent 
 Action taken as a result of the event 
 Outcome of event 
 
In this study, descriptions and grading scales found in the NCI Common Terminology Criteria 
for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0 available at http://ctep.cancer.gov will be utilized for 
AE reporting.  
 
Investigative sites will report adverse events to their respective IRB according to the local IRB’s 
policies and procedures in reporting adverse events. 
 
8.4  
Serious Adverse Event Reporting Procedures 
This section may need revision if Sponsor or Funding Source of study has specific reporting 
requirements for trial, and/or if study is conducted under an IND.  
Serious adverse events that occur beginning with the signing of the informed consent, during 
treatment, or within 30 days of the last dose of treatment must be reported to the CCF Principal 
Investigator. 
Investigative sites will report serious adverse events to their respective IRB according to the 
local IRB’s policies and procedures in reporting serious adverse events. 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 29  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
 
8.4.1 Pharmaceutical Sponsor Reporting: N/A 
 
8.4.2 FDA Reporting: N/A 
 
8.5  
Data Safety Toxicity Committee 
It is the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Principal Investigator’s responsibility to ensure 
that ALL serious adverse events are reported to the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Data 
Safety Toxicity Committee. This submission is simultaneous with their submission to the 
Sponsor or other Regulatory body.  


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 30  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
 9.0 
 
PHARMACEUTICAL INFORMATION    
 
A list of the adverse events and potential risks associated with the commercial agents 
administered in this study can be found in Section 8.0.  
   
 
9.1. LevulanTM       The following information about LevulanTM is cited from the package insert: 
 
Chemical Name:      
5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) 
 
Other Names:         
delta-aminolevulinic acid 
 
Classification:          
Topical agent 
 
Molecular Formula:  The chemical name for ALA HCl is 5-amino-4-oxopentanoic acid 
hydrochloride (MW = 167.59). The structural formula is represented below: 
 
 
 
Mode of Action:      
Photosensitization following application of LEVULAN 
KERASTICK Topical Solution occurs through the metabolic 
conversion of aminolevulinic acid to protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), a 
photosensitizer, which accumulates in the skin to which LEVULAN 
KERASTICK Topical Solution has been applied. The absorption of 
light results in an excited state of porphyrin molecules, and 
subsequent spin transfer from photoreactive porphyrins to molecular 
oxygen generates singlet oxygen, which can further react to form 
superoxide and hydroxyl radicals.   
 
Metabolism:    
ALA is converted to PpIX within mitochondria. PpIX is then 
destroyed upon illumination with the incident light (see above). 
 
Product description: LEVULAN® KERASTICK® (aminolevulinic acid HCl) for Topical 
Solution, 20%, a porphyrin precursor, contains the hydrochloride salt of aminolevulinic acid 
(ALA), an endogenous 5-carbon aminoketone. The LEVULAN KERASTICK for Topical 
Solution applicator is a two component system consisting of a plastic tube containing two sealed 
glass ampules and an applicator tip. One ampule contains 1.5 mL of solution vehicle comprising 
alcohol USP (ethanol content = 48% v/v), water, laureth-4, isopropyl alcohol, and polyethylene 
glycol. The other ampule contains 354 mg of ALA HCl as a dry solid. The applicator tube is 
enclosed in a protective cardboard sleeve and cap.  
Solution preparation: The 20% topical solution is prepared just prior to the time of use by 
breaking the ampules and mixing the contents by shaking the LEVULAN KERASTICK 
applicator. The term “ALA HCl” refers to unformulated active ingredient, “LEVULAN 
KERASTICK for Topical Solution” refers to the drug product in its unmixed state, “LEVULAN 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 31  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
KERASTICK Topical Solution” refers to mixed drug product (in the applicator tube or after 
application), and “LEVULAN KERASTICK” refers to the applicator only. 
 
Storage requirements:  Levulan should be stored at room temperature, 20°-25 °C (68°-77 °F).   
 
Stability: The ALA medication in a LEVULAN KERASTICK is stable for over 2 years, if 
unmixed.  After mixing, the LEVULAN KERASTICK Topical Solution should be used 
immediately following preparation (dissolution). Solution application must be completed within 
2 hours of preparation. An applicator that has been prepared must be discarded 2 hours after 
mixing (dissolving). 
 
Route of administration:  LevulanTM Kerastick will be applied to the skin, as directed by the 
manufacturer. Specifically, the glass ampules within the Kerastick will be crushed; the Kerastick 
shaken for 2 min to allow the powder to adequately dissolve in the vehicle; the liquid applied to 
the selected areas of skin using foam-tip applicator at the end of the Kerastick, and allowed to air 
dry for at least 3 min. The study subject will be advised to avoid sunlight until he/she will return 
to the clinic for the illumination phase of the treatment. 
 
Drug Procurement: LevulanTM Kerastick will be purchased from Sun Pharmaceuticals. 
Drug Accountability: The investigator or designated study personnel are responsible for maintaining 
accurate dispensing records of the study drug.  All study drugs must be accounted for, including study 
drug accidentally or deliberately destroyed.  Under no circumstances will the investigator allow the 
investigational drug to be used other than as directed by the protocol.  If appropriate, drug storage, drug 
dispensing, and drug accountability may be delegated to the pharmacy section of the investigative site.   
 
Drug Destruction:  Levulan KerastickTM can be used only once after mixing.  Immediately after application 
to the patient's skin, the remaining Kerastic will be discarded. 
 
9.2. Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3 supplements) 
While D3 is not a drug, we describe it here to clarify its source and handling.  A large batch of 
D3 tablets, 10,000 IU per tablet, will be purchased from a commercial source (e.g., NatureMade 
from Costco, Inc.) and several tables will be sent for testing at a commercial analysis facility to 
verify the cholecalciferol content (Heartland Assays, Ames, Iowa). These tablets will be stored in 
the CCF Research Pharmacy, under temperature-controlled conditions.   
 
[NOTE: The CCF Research Pharmacy, under guidance of John Petrich RPh, will also create inert 
pills made of inert methylcellulose for use as placebo in this randomized study]. 
 
9.3. Light Sources for PDT 
Blue light source: (Blu-U):  
This lamp is FDA-approved, and used routinely in our dermatology clinics.  
 
Noninvasive Fluorescent Measurement Device (NIR):   
This custom-made fluorescent detector, consisting of a safe, low-energy HeNe laser (equivalent 
to a classroom pointer) and an optical detector to collect weak red fluorescence, was IRB-
approved and routinely used in our CCF IRB protocol, 09-1050. 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 32  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
10.0 
CORRELATIVE / SPECIAL STUDIES 
10.1 
Processing of blood for serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 measurements. 
Rationale: 
Here we will address the question of whether a patient’s overall vitamin D status (as measured 
by 25OH-D3 serum levels) can affect PpIX production within skin tumors, and the subsequent 
clinical response to PDT. A large proportion of people in northern climates are VD deficient, 
especially in winter, as diagnosed by low serum 25OH-D3 levels [35, 36]. There is high 
variability in the results of different studies, due to multiple factors including sunlight/season, 
age, ethnicity, and laboratory technique, and to the endpoints being used (bone loss; PTH levels, 
etc.). Thus, controversy exists about how to define low VitD levels using terms such as 
“deficiency”, “insufficiency”, etc. However, most authorities agree that a 25OH-D3 level above 
20 ng/mL is required for normal health, with the range of 20 – 60 ng/mL being acceptable to 
avoid VitD toxicity [35, 36]. In our study, we will use 20 ng/mL as our threshold to define 
normal Vit D levels. Patients with a suboptimal level (below 20 ng/mL) will be classified into 
two groups, either moderately deficient (10-19 ng/mL), or severely deficient (<10 ng/mL) for 
analytical purposes. Thus, the patients’ 25OH-D3 levels will be grouped in tertiles (severely 
deficient, moderately deficient, or optimal) when interpreting the relationship between VitD 
level and PDT treatment response. 
Method: 
The specimen required is 1 mL of blood, collected in a serum separator (gold) tube. The assay is 
a radioimmunoassay (RIA) performed in the Cleveland Clinic Institute of Pathology and 
Laboratory Medicine. Results are expected back in 3-6 days. Details are at CCF Guide to 
Laboratory Services, available on the CCF Intranet at http://intranet.ccf.org/pathology.  
 
10.2 
Processing of blood for preparation of DNA from leukocytes. 
Rationale: 
DNA sequence differences in the VDR may be useful as a biomarker to predict responsiveness to 
combination VitD/PDT in individual patients. In the past few years, excitement has been 
growing about an association between polymorphisms (allelic variants) in the VDR gene and an 
elevated cancer risk (including breast, prostate, colon, and skin cancer) [20, 21]. Over 300 
studies on this topic are now listed in PubMed. Epidemiologic approaches show a strong 
correlation between VDR polymorphic allelles (named for DNA restriction enzymes that define 
the altered nucleotide sites) and the risk of melanoma [22] and nonmelanoma [23, 24] skin 
cancer development. For NMSC, studies have primarily implicated FokI, TaqI, BsmI, and ApaI 
as potentially important predictors. Overall, the FokI polymorphism is the most interesting, not 
only because it is very frequently associated with NMSC [24, 25], but also because it is one of 
the few polymorphisms known to alter VDR levels and function [26]. In their elegant 2001 
paper, Whitfield et al. showed that Fok 1 interacts with a second polymorphic site (L/S) which 
together define a wide range of transcriptional activity of the VDR [31]. FokI detects a single 
nucleotide substitution (the f allele) in exon II that creates a new translation start site (encoding a 
protein of 427 amino acids) located three residues upstream from the usual start site (defined by 
the F allele, and yielding a protein of 424 residues). When 20 different human fibroblast lines 
were transfected with a VDR-responsive reporter gene ± calcitriol, and each cell line’s DNA 
analyzed to correlate the genotype with VDR transcriptional activity, it was found that ff was the 
least active genotype, Ff was intermediate, and FF was the most active, over a 7-fold range of 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 33  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
transcriptional activity. The second element of this story involves adenosine (A) repeats in the 
3’-UTR of the VDR gene, which vary widely in size between individuals but segregate into a 
“long” group (L) with 17-24 A’s in the repeat, and a “short” group (S) with 10-15 A’s in the 
repeat [31]. The VDR variants with an LL genotype were ~8-fold more active than VDR with a 
SS genotype. When F/f and L/S alleles were evaluated together, the FF•LL genotype was 10-15 
fold more active than the f/f•SS genotype.  We plan to perform genotyping of our patients’ DNA 
to determine the status of the F/f and L/S alleles, and to correlate these findings with therapeutic 
responsiveness to ALA-PDT, ± D3 supplementation.   
 
As an alternative (or additional) assay, we plan to look at single nucleotide polymorphisms 
(SNPs) in CYP27B1, the 1α-hydroxylase enzyme that regulates 1,25diOH-D3 production. 
According to a study from the group at Univ. Arizona, four SNP variants of CYP27B1 (R107H, 
V166L, S356N, and V374A) show markedly reduced 1α-hydroxylase activity, while one variant 
(V166L) shows increased activity. The presence of these allelic variants will be established by 
qPCR, to see whether they correlate with responsiveness to PDT.  
 
 
Method: 
The complete procedure for extracting blood for leukocyte DNA preparation is given in 
Appendix 1. 
Briefly, blood will be collected in a 10 mL lavendar top Vacutainer tube with EDTA. The 
phlebotomist in the outpatient Crile A61 will call Dr. Maytin’s technician/designated staff to 
inform him/her that a specimen is waiting; the technician will then pick up the sample and 
transport it to Dr. Maytin’s lab. The blood should stay at room temperature, and NOT be put on 
ice (which would activate platelets). A simple and reliable kit from Qiagen will be used to 
prepare the DNA. The first step involves adding a solution to lyse the cells and precipitated the 
proteins; after this stage, the tube can safely remain at room temperature for weeks prior to DNA 
extraction (see Appendix 1). 
The analysis of DNA sequences using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a standard procedure 
in Dr. Maytin’s laboratory. We will employ published DNA primer sequences, described in the 
publications listed in the Rationale for (B) given above. 
 
 
Safe storage of the patient samples 
 
• Describe where samples will be stored, maintained and for how long. 
DNA samples will be stored in a locked minus 80 degree ultrafreezer, in Dr. Maytin’s 
laboratory (room ND4-25A in the Lerner Research Institute). The samples will be maintained 
for up to 10 years.  
 
• Will samples contain subject identifiers or are names replaced with codes and a separate key? 
Blood sample tubes and data sheets in the laboratory will be labeled with a code consisting of 
the first 5 digits of the patient’s 8-digit MRN along with the date that the phlebotomy was 
performed (i.e. the date of the blood draw). This should ensure anonymity of the data while 
preventing mistakes when linking the laboratory results to the correct patient. Study personnel 
with password-protected access to the database registry will use the code to unequivocally 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 34  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
identify the subject’s file within the Oracle database and thereby enter the subject’s laboratory 
results into the proper data field. 
 
Procedure (C): Correlation of biomarker results to clinical outcomes (Database Registry) 
Clinical parameters will be extracted from the EPIC electronic medical record, for each study 
patient, at the treatment visit and the 3 month follow-up. The data fields to be used in this study 
are identical to items already IRB-approved in our established PDT database (IRB 09-953), with 
the exception that we have added 4 new fields to capture results of the Vitamin D tests and 
biomarker results. This strategy will allow us to eventually add clinical parameter data from this 
study into the larger comprehensive database, but the biomarker data will continue to reside 
separately in the study-specific database. 
 
Privacy and confidentiality: Medical information obtained in this study will remain in the 
Oracle-based database registry within the Department of Dermatology.  Information contained in 
this database is confidential and can only be viewed by investigators and study staff who have 
password access.  Data from the assays conducted in Dr. Maytin’s laboratory will be de-
identified on all tubes, vials, and notebooks through use of the coding system described in the 
previous paragraph. Again, investigators with password-protected access to the database will be 
the only people able to break the code when the time comes to interpret the results (to correlate 
lab results with clinical outcomes for individual patients).  
 
• Describe how subjects may withdraw the use of their samples. 
The Informed Consent document informs the subject that he/she can withdraw permission for 
use of their samples at any time, and explains how to do this by contacting the Principal 
Investigator (PI) in writing. 
 
• Will any samples or research data be given to external sponsors or other 3rd parties? 
No. 
 
• Will any genetic testing be undertaken (i), and shared with subjects (ii)? 
(i) Yes; (ii) No. 
The genetic sequence of very specific loci in genes that encode the Vitamin D receptor (VDR), 
and in the genes for 1-alpha-hydroxylase and thymidine synthase (enzymes which metabolize 
Vitamin D and 5-fluorouracil respectively), will be examined for the specific purpose of asking 
whether the presence of a particular variant statistically correlates with PDT treatment 
outcomes. There are no known diseases that are associated with these vitamin D enzymes nor 
the TS promoter variants. Therefore, because no known information with the potential to cause 
harm exists within the limited DNA sequences to be examined, we have no plans to share any 
DNA sequence information with the subjects.  However, the Informed Consent will instruct 
subjects that they are free to withdraw permission for use of their DNA data at any time by 
contacting the PI in writing. 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 35  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
11.0  STUDY PARAMETERS AND DETAILED STUDY CALENDAR  
 
Each step of the study has been described in detail under Section 6.0, “Treatment Plan”. Each 
study visit, and events occurring between visits, are laid out in the Table in section 11.6  
(“Calendar”). 
Allowances for variations in scheduling:  A visit window of  3 months is allowed when 
scheduling the final follow-up assessment visit. 
 
In brief, the study consists of the following activities: 
 
11.1 
Initial evaluation and screening (Visit 1) 
Initial exam, and review of previous records; blood draw for 25-OH-D3 levels (and 
leukocyte DNA, for VDR receptor analysis).  Vitamin D study pills will be given to the 
patient. 
 
11.2 
At home: Study nurse will call patient to instruct patient on when to start Vitamin D 
supplementation. 
 
11.3 
PDT treatment (Visit 2) 
All AK lesions are measured clinically and photographed. Noninvasive fluorescence 
dosimetry may be performed on up to 6 lesions. Levulan KerastickTM will be applied to 
each lesion and left to incubate for 30 minutes. Blue light  (Blu-U device, 20 J/cm2, 33 
minutes) will be administered. 
 
11.4 
At home: Study nurse will call patient to check up on the patient and record side effects 
at 24-48 h.  
 
11.5 
Final observation (Visit 3) 
At month 3, the subject will return for final exam and photography of lesions. 
 
 
11.6 
Calendar.    (Please see next page for STUDY CALENDAR) 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 36  
 
 
Version date: 4/13/2022 
 
CALENDAR.  Timeline of procedures for patients enrolled in the study. 
Yellow: Clinic visits.  Gray: events taking place at home.  Green: steps that are critical to decision-making. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*Time window for scheduling Visit 3 will be 3-6 months after Visit 2, to match the protocol of the control group (IRB 16-1615). 
 
 
 
VISIT 1 
No PDT 
Start VD 
VISIT 2 
PDT 1 
Phone 
Call 
VISIT 3 
No PDT 
Scheduled visit:  
Procedure: ↓ 
 
5 d or 14 d 
before   
PDT 
Day 0 
 
Month 3 * 
Review previous clinical 
records 
X 
 
 
 
 
Blood draw 
X 
 
 
                 
 
 
Dispense Vitamin D3  
X 
 
 
 
 
Call, and tell the patient to 
start taking pills 
 
X 
 
 
 
Pill Count (verify patient took 
pills) 
 
 
X 
 
X 
Skin exam and lesion counts 
X 
 
X 
 
X 
Photograph lesions 
 
 
X 
 
 
Topical ALA application 
 
 
X 
 
 
Measure PpIX fluorescence on 
selected lesions at 30 minutes 
 
 
X 
 
 
Blue light exposure (20 J/cm2) 
 
 
X 
 
 
Phone call to patient, to record 
side effects at 24-48 hr post 
PDT 
 
 
 
X 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 37  
 
 
Version date: 12.3.2019 
 
12.0  MEASUREMENT OF EFFECT 
 
12.1.1 To establish a diagnosis of AK.   
AK will be diagnosed through a combination of touch and visual inspection. 
 
12.2 
Methods for Evaluation of AK Response 
12.2.1 
Number of AK Lesions Measured from Clinic Visits and Photographic Images  
(Primary Objective) 
Percent reduction of actinic keratoses at a 3-month follow-up visit will be used to evaluate 
the overall outcome of PDT with prior Vitamin D supplementation. This will be achieved by 
counting AK lesions at visit 2 and visit 3.  
12.2.2 
Noninvasive fluorescence measurements (NIF) of lesions  
(Secondary Objective) 
The maximal levels of PpIX, measured 30 minutes after Levulan application at each treatment 
session, will indicate the degree of accumulation of porphyrins in the areas of skin with 
actinic damage.  
 
12.3 
Tolerability and patient satisfaction  
(Secondary Objective) 
We will collate the results from the patient symptom score sheets filled out by each patient in 
the week following each PDT treatment. We will also record erythema (on a scale of 1 to 
4+), from clinical exam and from the photographs, in the treated areas just prior to the second 
treatment in each PDT cycle. The absence/presence of pain will be recorded on a 0-to-10 
visual/analog scale. 
 
12.4 
Correlate tumor response to Vitamin D3 serum levels, and VDR status (Secondary 
Objective) 
See Section 10.0 for description of how the blood samples will be handled and analyzed. 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 38  
 
 
Version date: 12.3.2019 
 
13.0 
RECORDS TO BE KEPT / REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS  
Adverse event lists, guidelines, and instructions for AE reporting can be found in Section 8.0 
(Adverse Events: List and Reporting Requirements). 
 
13.1 
Data Reporting  
The OnCore Database will be utilized, as required by the Case Comprehensive Cancer 
Center, to provide data collection for both accrual entry and trial data management.  
OnCore is a Clinical Trials Management System housed on secure servers maintained at 
Case Western Reserve University.  OnCore properly used is compliant with Title 21 CFR 
Part 11.  Access to data through OnCore is restricted by user accounts and assigned roles.  
Once logged into the OnCore system with a user ID and password, OnCore defines roles 
for each user which limits access to appropriate data. User information and password can 
be obtained by contacting the OnCore Administrator at oncore-registration@case.edu. 
 
OnCore is designed with the capability for study setup, activation, tracking, reporting, data 
monitoring and review, and eligibility verification. This study will utilize electronic Case 
Report Form completion in the OnCore database.  A calendar of events and required forms 
are available in OnCore. 
 
13.2 
Regulatory Considerations 
The study will be conducted in compliance with ICH guidelines and with all applicable 
federal (including 21 CFR parts 56 & 50), state or local laws.  
13.2.1 Written Informed consent 
Provision of written informed consent must be obtained prior to any study-related 
procedures.  The Principal Investigator will ensure that the subject is given full and 
adequate oral and written information about the nature, purpose, possible risks and benefits 
of the study as well as the subject’s financial responsibility.  Subjects must also be notified 
that they are free to discontinue from the study at any time.  The subject should be given 
the opportunity to ask questions and allowed time to consider the information provided.  
The original, signed written Informed Consent Form must be kept with the Research Chart 
in conformance with the institution’s standard operating procedures. A copy of the signed 
written Informed Consent Form must be given to the subject. 
13.2.2 Subject Data Protection 
In accordance with the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a 
subject must sign an authorization to release medical information to the sponsor and/or 
allow the sponsor, a regulatory authority, or Institutional Review Board access to subject’s 
medical information that includes all hospital records relevant to the study, including 
subjects’ medical history. 
 
13.2.3 Accessing Electronic Medical Records for University Hospitals Health System:   
 
Not applicable. 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 39  
 
 
Version date: 12.3.2019 
 
13.2.4  Retention of records 
The Principal Investigator of The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center supervises the 
retention of all documentation of adverse events, case report forms, source documents, 
records of study drug receipt and dispensation, and all IRB correspondence for as long as 
needed to comply with national and international regulations and the institution in which 
the study will be conducted, or for the period specified by the sponsor, whichever is longer. 
No records will be destroyed until the Principal Investigator confirms destruction is 
permitted.  
 
13.2.5 Audits and inspections  
Authorized representatives of the sponsor, a regulatory authority, an Independent Ethics 
Committee (IEC) or an Institutional Review Board (IRB) may visit the Center to perform 
audits or inspections, including source data verification.  The purpose of an audit or 
inspection is to systematically and independently examine all study-related activities and 
documents to determine whether these activities were conducted, and data were recorded, 
analysed, and accurately reported according to the protocol, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), 
guidelines of the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH), and any applicable 
regulatory requirements.   
 
13.2.6 Data Safety and Monitoring Plan 
This protocol will adhere to the policies of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Data 
and Safety Monitoring Plan in accordance with NCI regulations.  


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 40  
 
 
Version date: 12.3.2019 
 
14.0     STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS 
 
Primary objective: 
 
Statistical Analysis  
 
Patients receiving neoadjuvant D3/PDT will be first matched to control patients who received 
PDT alone (in our previous study, IRB 16-1615) in a 1:1 ratio based upon the baseline 25OH-D3 
values. The 25OH-D3 values will have three strata: normal blood levels, intermediate, and low. 
The matching will also be stratified, i.e., normal level patients who received D3/PDT will be 
matched to normal level patients who received PDT, and so on. Within each stratum, the 
matching will be done with the optimal algorithm by considering 25OH-D3 as a continuous 
variable. The outcome, C, (% decrease in lesion number), will then be compared between the 
two matched groups using the paired t-test. Statistical significance will be established at a two-
sided p-value < 0.05. As a sensitivity analysis, a linear mixed-effect model will be used to adjust 
the comparison for baseline 25OH-D3 values. A random two-way ANOVA model will also be 
used to include therapy, D3 strata and their interactions in the model to examine whether the 
treatment effect differs by strata.  
 
Sample size estimates: 
 
We estimated the variance within our actinic keratosis (AK) study population by using data from 
our prior pilot studies that examined PDT for AK of the face and scalp [10]. The mean clearance 
of the AK lesion counts was 70%, with a SD of 24% (n=30) three months after PDT. We 
hypothesize that the clearance rate with neoadjuvant D3 will be 90%. For this effect size, we 
would need 30 patients to achieve a power of 90% (assuming a common SD of 24%, two-sided 
alpha=0.05, 0.1 correlation).  As an enrollment estimate, we aim to recruit 35 patients. 
 
Secondary objectives:  
 
• 
To assess the level of PpIX accumulation in AK lesions at treatment visits, in the absence 
or presence of neoadjuvant D3.  (fluorescence dosimetry measurements) 
 
• 
To assess tolerability of the technique.  (Pain scale measurements) 
 
• 
To assess patient satisfaction with the technique. (Cosmetic result, and questionnaire) 
 
• 
To assess D3 serum levels (in serum) and VDR status (in leukocyte DNA), and to 
correlate these results to clinical outcomes. 
 
Characteristics of the above parameters will be summarized as means and standard deviations 
(medians and quartiles) or percentages and frequencies. We will also compare the characteristics 
of screened and randomized patients using appropriate two-sample comparison procedures (t-test, 
Chi-squared test, etc.).  
 
Analyses of study endpoints will follow the intention-to-treat (ITT) principle. For each relevant 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 41  
 
 
Version date: 12.3.2019 
 
endpoint, we will summarize its trajectories over study visits by randomization assignment for 
each patient.  Linear mixed-effects models will be the primary analytic tools to analyze 
continuous endpoints by accounting for within-patient randomization, multiple lesions from the 
same patient and repeated measurements over time. The models will include fixed effects of 
treatment and visit and multiple random effects that represent the hierarchical data structure. 
Similarly, generalized linear mixed-effects models will be applied to categorical endpoints 
(binomial data, e.g., number of lesions with CR). The analysis for time to clearance will be based 
on a random-frailty survival model, where lesions without CR will be considered to have 
clearance times censored at the end of study. Further exploratory analyses will adjust these 
models by controlling for important initial parameters (e.g., initial tumor size).    
 
All analyses will be conducted using SAS 9.3 (Cary, NC). Results will not be adjusted for 
multiple comparisons, and statistical significance will be established with a two-sided p-
value<0.05.   
 
Estimate of the accrual rate: Patients who have been scheduled to receive PDT in our 
noninvasive cutaneous oncology clinics will be given written information prior to their visit, 
including a copy of the Informed Consent (IC) that describes the purpose of the study. If the 
patient indicates that he/she is interested, the physician or study nurse will review the IC with the 
patient on the day of PDT and answer all questions. We estimate an enrollment of 1 patient each 
week. 
 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 42  
 
 
Version date: 12.3.2019 
 
REFERENCES 
1. 
MacCormack, M.A., Photodynamic therapy. Adv Dermatol, 2006. 22: p. 219-58. 
2. 
Hasan, T., B. Ortel, N. Solban, and B.W. Pogue, Photodynamic therapy of cancer, in 
Cancer Medicine, B.R. Kufe D, Hait W, et al., Editor 2006, Decker, Inc.: Hamilton, 
Ontario. p. 537-48. 
3. 
Celli, J.P., B.Q. Spring, I. Rizvi, C.L. Evans, K.S. Samkoe, S. Verma, B.W. Pogue, and 
T. Hasan, Imaging and photodynamic therapy: mechanisms, monitoring, and 
optimization. Chem Rev, 2010. 110(5): p. 2795-838. 
4. 
Anand, S., B.J. Ortel, S.P. Pereira, T. Hasan, and E.V. Maytin, Biomodulatory 
approaches to photodynamic therapy for solid tumors. Cancer Lett, 2012. 326(1): p. 8-
16. 
5. 
Campbell, S.M., J. Tyrrell, R. Marshall, and A. Curnow, Effect of MAL-photodynamic 
therapy on hypertrophic scarring. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther, 2010. 7(3): p. 183-8. 
6. 
Karrer, S., A.K. Bosserhoff, P. Weiderer, M. Landthaler, and R.M. Szeimies, Influence of 
5-aminolevulinic acid and red light on collagen metabolism of human dermal fibroblasts. 
J Invest Dermatol, 2003. 120(2): p. 325-31. 
7. 
Karrer, S., A.K. Bosserhoff, P. Weiderer, M. Landthaler, and R.M. Szeimies, 
Keratinocyte-derived cytokines after photodynamic therapy and their paracrine induction 
of matrix metalloproteinases in fibroblasts. Br J Dermatol, 2004. 151(4): p. 776-83. 
8. 
Anand, S., C. Wilson, T. Hasan, and E.V. Maytin, Vitamin D3 enhances the apoptotic 
response of epithelial tumors to aminolevulinate-based photodynamic therapy. Cancer 
Res, 2011. 71(18): p. 6040-50. 
9. 
Maytin, E., S. Anand, C. Wilson, and K. Iyer. 5-Fluorouracil as an enhancer of 
aminolevulinate-based photodynamic therapy for skin cancer: New use for a venerable 
agent? in Proc. of SPIE. 2011. 
10. 
Maytin, E.V., et al., 5-Fluorouracil Enhances Protoporphyrin IX Accumulation and 
Lesion Clearance during Photodynamic Therapy of Actinic Keratoses: A Mechanism-
Based Clinical Trial. Clin Cancer Res, 2018. 24(13): p. 3026-3035. 
11. 
Whitfield, G.K., P.W. Jurutka, C.A. Haussler, J.C. Hsieh, T.K. Barthel, E.T. Jacobs, C.E. 
Dominguez, M.L. Thatcher, and M.R. Haussler, Nuclear Vitamin D receptor: Structure-
function, molecular control of gene transcription, and novel bioactios, in Vitamin D, 2nd 
edition, P.J.W. Feldman D., Glorieux F.H., Editor 2005, Elsevier Academic Press: 
Boston. p. 219-262. 
12. 
Anand, S., K.R. Rollakanti, R.L. Horst, T. Hasan, and E.V. Maytin, Combination of oral 
vitamin D3 with photodynamic therapy enhances tumor cell death in a murine model of 
cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Photochem Photobiol, 2014. 90(5): p. 1126-35. 
13. 
Krishnan, A.V., S. Swami, and D. Feldman, Equivalent anticancer activities of dietary 
vitamin D and calcitriol in an animal model of breast cancer: importance of mammary 
CYP27B1 for treatment and prevention. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2013. 136: p. 289-
95. 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 43  
 
 
Version date: 12.3.2019 
 
14. 
Swami, S., A.V. Krishnan, J.Y. Wang, K. Jensen, R. Horst, M.A. Albertelli, and D. 
Feldman, Dietary vitamin D(3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (calcitriol) exhibit 
equivalent anticancer activity in mouse xenograft models of breast and prostate cancer. 
Endocrinology, 2012. 153(6): p. 2576-87. 
15. 
Sato, N., B.W. Moore, S. Keevey, J.A. Drazba, T. Hasan, and E.V. Maytin, Vitamin D 
enhances ALA-induced protoporphyrin IX production and photodynamic cell death in 3-
D organotypic cultures of keratinocytes. J Invest Dermatol, 2007. 127(4): p. 925-34. 
16. 
Zinser, G.M., M. Suckow, and J. Welsh, Vitamin D receptor (VDR) ablation alters 
carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis in mammary gland, epidermis and lymphoid tissues. J 
Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2005. 97(1-2): p. 153-64. 
17. 
Tang, J.Y., A. Wu, E. Linos, N. Parimi, W. Lee, M. Aszterbaum, M.M. Asgari, D.R. 
Bickers, and E.H. Epstein, Jr., High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with 
basal cell nevus syndrome. Arch Dermatol, 2010. 146(10): p. 1105-10. 
18. 
Kamradt, J., L. Rafi, T. Mitschele, V. Meineke, B.C. Gartner, T. Wolfgang, M.F. Holick, 
and J. Reichrath, Analysis of the vitamin D system in cutaneous malignancies. Recent 
Results Cancer Res, 2003. 164: p. 259-69. 
19. 
Mitschele, T., et al., Analysis of the vitamin D system in basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). 
Lab Invest, 2004. 84(6): p. 693-702. 
20. 
Asgari, M.M., et al., Association of prediagnostic serum vitamin D levels with the 
development of basal cell carcinoma. J Invest Dermatol, 2010. 130(5): p. 1438-43. 
21. 
Tang, J.Y., N. Parimi, A. Wu, W.J. Boscardin, J.M. Shikany, M.M. Chren, S.R. 
Cummings, E.H. Epstein, Jr., and D.C. Bauer, Inverse association between serum 25(OH) 
vitamin D levels and non-melanoma skin cancer in elderly men. Cancer Causes Control, 
2010. 21(3): p. 387-91. 
22. 
Eide, M.J., D.A. Johnson, G.R. Jacobsen, R.J. Krajenta, D.S. Rao, H.W. Lim, and C.C. 
Johnson, Vitamin D and nonmelanoma skin cancer in a health maintenance organization 
cohort. Arch Dermatol, 2011. 147(12): p. 1379-84. 
23. 
Wong, G., et al., 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D and three low-calcemic analogs decrease UV-
induced DNA damage via the rapid response pathway. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 
2004. 89-90(1-5): p. 567-70. 
24. 
De Haes, P., M. Garmyn, A. Verstuyf, P. De Clercq, M. Vandewalle, H. Degreef, K. 
Vantieghem, R. Bouillon, and S. Segaert, 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and analogues 
protect primary human keratinocytes against UVB-induced DNA damage. J Photochem 
Photobiol B, 2005. 78(2): p. 141-8. 
25. 
Dixon, K.M., et al., Skin cancer prevention: a possible role of 1,25dihydroxyvitamin D3 
and its analogs. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2005. 97(1-2): p. 137-43. 
26. 
Moll, P.R., V. Sander, A.M. Frischauf, and K. Richter, Expression profiling of vitamin D 
treated primary human keratinocytes. J Cell Biochem, 2007. 100(3): p. 574-92. 
27. 
Ellison, T.I., M.K. Smith, A.C. Gilliam, and P.N. MacDonald, Inactivation of the vitamin 
D receptor enhances susceptibility of murine skin to UV-induced tumorigenesis. J Invest 
Dermatol, 2008. 128(10): p. 2508-17. 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 44  
 
 
Version date: 12.3.2019 
 
28. 
Dowd, D.R. and P.N. MacDonald, The 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-independent actions of 
the vitamin D receptor in skin. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 2010. 121(1-2): p. 317-21. 
29. 
Xu, Y., B. He, Y. Pan, Q. Deng, H. Sun, R. Li, T. Gao, G. Song, and S. Wang, Systematic 
review and meta-analysis on vitamin D receptor polymorphisms and cancer risk. Tumour 
Biol, 2014. 35(5): p. 4153-69. 
30. 
Gandini, S., P. Gbagnarella, D. Serrano, E. Pasquali, and S. Raimondi, Vitamin D 
Receptor Polymorphisms and Cancer, in Sunlight, Vitamin D and Skin Cancer, J. 
Reichrath, Editor 2014, Landes Bioscience and Springer Science. p. 69-105. 
31. 
Whitfield, G.K., et al., Functionally relevant polymorphisms in the human nuclear 
vitamin D receptor gene. Mol Cell Endocrinol, 2001. 177(1-2): p. 145-59. 
32. 
Ingles, S.A., R.W. Haile, B.E. Henderson, L.N. Kolonel, G. Nakaichi, C.Y. Shi, M.C. Yu, 
R.K. Ross, and G.A. Coetzee, Strength of linkage disequilibrium between two vitamin D 
receptor markers in five ethnic groups: implications for association studies. Cancer 
Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev, 1997. 6(2): p. 93-8. 
33. 
Warren, C.B., S. Lohser, L.C. Wene, B.W. Pogue, P.L. Bailin, and E.V. Maytin, 
Noninvasive fluorescence monitoring of protoporphyrin IX production and clinical 
outcomes in actinic keratoses following short-contact application of 5-aminolevulinate. J 
Biomed Opt, 2010. 15(5): p. 051607. 
34. 
Kennel, K.A., M.T. Drake, and D.L. Hurley, Vitamin D deficiency in adults: when to test 
and how to treat. Mayo Clin Proc, 2010. 85(8): p. 752-7; quiz 757-8. 
35. 
Fuleihan Gel, H., R. Bouillon, B. Clarke, M. Chakhtoura, C. Cooper, M. McClung, and 
R.J. Singh, Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels: Variability, Knowledge Gaps, and the 
Concept of a Desirable Range. J Bone Miner Res, 2015. 30(7): p. 1119-33. 
36. 
Holick, M.F., N.C. Binkley, H.A. Bischoff-Ferrari, C.M. Gordon, D.A. Hanley, R.P. 
Heaney, M.H. Murad, C.M. Weaver, and S. Endocrine, Evaluation, treatment, and 
prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J 
Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2011. 96(7): p. 1911-30. 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 45  
 
 
Version date: 12.3.2019 
 
APPENDIX I 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
CASE 5619 
 
 
Page 46  
 
 
Version date: 12.3.2019 
 
 
 
 
 

ICF_003.pdf: 
Version 4/13/2022 
Page 1 of 12
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation 
Consent to Participate in a Research Study 
 
Study Title:  
“Vitamin D supplementation as a neoadjuvant for photodynamic 
therapy of actinic keratoses” 
Sponsor:  
Investigator-initiated (Dr. Maytin) 
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT# 
NCT04140292 
Principal Investigator: 
Dr. Edward Maytin, PH#216-445-6676 
Study Coordinators: 
Beverly Doyle 216-636-1196 
After hours phone contact: 
Dermatology Surgical Fellow on call, PH#216-444-2200 
 
KEY INFORMATION 
The following is a short summary of this research study to help you decide whether or not to be a 
part of this research study.  More detailed information is included later on in this document. 
 
What should I know about a research study? 
• 
Someone will explain this research study to you. 
• 
You can choose whether or not to take part. 
• 
You can agree to take part and then later change your mind. 
• 
Your decision whether or not to participate will not be held against you. 
• 
You can ask all the questions you want before you decide. 
 
What is the purpose, procedures and duration of this study?  
 
We invite you to take part in a research study because you have been diagnosed with actinic 
keratoses (skin lesions that have the potential to turn into skin cancer), and you are receiving 
photodynamic therapy (PDT) as part of your clinical care. The purpose of this study is to test and 
demonstrate that vitamin D pretreatment can enhance PDT efficacy in the treatment of actinic 
keratoses.  
 
You will be asked to take vitamin D supplements prior to your standard of care photodynamic 
therapy treatment. 
 
Your participation in the research will last about 3-4 months.  
 
More detailed information can be found under the section labeled: “Information on the 
Research.” 
 
Why might you choose not to participate in this research study? 
 
You may not want to participate in this study if you: 
- 
 Do not want to take Vitamin D 
- 
 Are unable to have your blood drawn. 
 
More detailed information about the risks of this study can be found in the section labeled 


Version 4/13/2022 
Page 2 of 12
“Risks.” 
Why might you choose to volunteer for this study? 
Taking part in this study may help patients with actinic keratoses receive better care in the future. 
In addition, by participating in this study, you will learn the result of your Vitamin D blood test 
(whether your Vitamin D level is normal, low, or deficient) and receive advice from the study 
physicians about how to achieve or maintain a normal Vitamin D status 
 
More detailed information about the benefits of this study can be found in the section labeled 
“Benefits.” 
What are my other choices if I do not take part in this study? 
Your participation in this study is voluntary.  You do not have to be in this study to get treatment 
for your skin cancer.  If you choose not to participate, your actinic keratosis will still be treated 
using PDT or other standard treatment modalities, such as cryosurgery or 5FU cream. 
 
More detailed information about the alternatives to this study can be found in the section labeled 
“Alternatives.” 
 
DETAILED INFORMATION 
 
The following is more detailed information about this study in addition to the information listed 
above. 
 
1. INFORMATION ON THE RESEARCH 
 
 Why is the research study being done? 
This study is designed to establish what the optimal conditions are for treating actinic keratoses -
with PDT. Previous research suggests that taking Vitamin D, also called Vitamin D3, prior to the 
start of PDT could help improve the effectiveness of the treatment in eliminating the actinic 
keratoses. Overall, your participation in this study will help us learn whether oral Vitamin 
D3/PDT is effective as combination therapy for actinic keratoses. 
 
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a technique that works by combining a photosensitizing topical 
agent and an intense light source to kill tumor cells. PDT is currently approved for the treatment 
of actinic keratoses by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
Overall, your participation in this study will help us to improve our blue light therapy regimens 
for patients in the future. 
 
How Many People Will Take Part in this Study? 
 
Approximately 30 people will take part in this study at Cleveland Clinic.  
 
What is involved if you decide to take part in this research study? 
 


Version 4/13/2022 
Page 3 of 12
Before your PDT treatment, you will donate a blood sample (up to 5 tablespoons of blood, 
placed in two separate tubes). One tube will be used to measure you Vitamin D (25-hydroxy-D3) 
level. The other will be used to obtain DNA from white blood cells, to test for several 
biomarkers that allow the investigators to study several proteins that are important for the body 
to use and break down Vitamin D. You will receive a course of daily supplementation with 
10,000 IU of vitamin D3 for up to 14 days, depending on your baseline vitamin D level, leading 
up to your PDT treatment. If you have a normal vitamin D level, you will be instructed to take 
your vitamin D3 supplementation once per day for 5 days. If you are deficient in vitamin D, you 
will be instructed to take your vitamin D3 supplementation for 14 days.  
 
You will also be expected to return for a routine follow-up visit in 3-6 months after PDT 
treatment, which is important to assess whether any precancerous lesions remain.  You will need 
to return for this follow-up visit regardless of your decision to participate in this study, because a 
3-6 month follow-up is considered routine standard of care. 
 
The results of your Vitamin D test will be reported to you, and available in your medical record. 
If your vitamin D levels are found to be low or deficient, your study physician will offer you 
advice on how to correct this through over the counter Vitamin D supplementation. 
 
 
 
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)  
PDT is a noninvasive cancer treatment in which a topical agent (referred to as Levulan or ALA) 
is applied to the AKs and then exposed to a particular type of light. The topical agent, Levulan, is 
a liquid preparation with a fixed concentration of 20% aminolevulinic acid (ALA) that is 
delivered topically as a uniform film that dries upon application to the skin. The application of 
Levulan is not associated with any risks or side effects. The light source used, known as Blue 
Light (Blue-U, 400 nm), will target and kill the precancerous cells.  
 
Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies 
PK studies measure the amount of Vitamin D you have in your blood. About 10 ml (2 teaspoons) 
of blood will be drawn for research purposes, including several biomarkers (genes and proteins 
related to your cancer). 
 
Vitamin D 


Version 4/13/2022 
Page 4 of 12
Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is not a drug. However, there is some evidence of a link between 
patients who take Cholecalciferol and developing hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia is a condition 
in which you have too high a concentration of calcium in your blood. Symptoms of 
hypercalcemia range from mild to severe. They may include increased thirst and urination, belly 
pain, nausea, bone pain, muscle weakness, confusion, fatigue, and in rare cases even death. 
Therefore, if you are at risk for hypercalcemia (renal disease, sarcoidosis, etc.), you will not be 
permitted to participate in the study. 
 
Photographs 
Photographs of all treated areas will be taken during the study. These will be used to determine 
the clearance of actinic keratoses with treatment. The photographs will be maintained in a secure 
area with limited access. Safeguards are in place to protect from any inappropriate access to data 
including: use of codes, encrypted and/or password protected computers and phones, and 
limiting access to data to only the research team. 
 
Noninvasive Fluorescence (NIF) 
NIF refers to the measurement of an organic compound known as protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). 
Sites of actinic keratoses will be measured during the PDT treatment. NIF is helpful in 
evaluating the success of the PDT treatment. 
 
Genetic Testing  
This research includes genetic testing that studies the characteristics and genes that are found in 
the body’s cells.  Genes are made of DNA.  DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) contains the 
instructions for your body’s development and function. This information determines traits that 
are passed on from parent to child, such as eye and hair color and the risk/chance you will get 
certain diseases.  Genes also tells your cells to make substances (including proteins) that appear 
in your blood.  RNA (ribonucleic acid) is made from DNA.  RNA is a genetic material that has a 
major role in making proteins.  Researchers are examining DNA, proteins (biomarkers) and 
RNA to look for genetic changes that cause cells to not work properly and cause disease.   Some 
of the genetic changes that can cause disease are known.  Researchers are working on finding 
other genetic changes causing disease. 
 
Note that we will be collecting your DNA to specifically test for normal variants in genes related 
to Vitamin D and thymidine metabolism, neither of which are associated with any known 
inheritable diseases. However, it is still important for you to know that additional safeguards 
against improper use of your genetic information are in place, as described below under “Risks 
of Genetic Research.” 
 
How will my data be used?  
 
Your data may be sent outside of the Cleveland Clinic for further analysis. Any personal 
information that could identify you will be removed before data is shared. 
 
Will I be notified of the results of the tests/studies on my samples?  
 


Version 4/13/2022 
Page 5 of 12
When samples are collected and analyzed, there is the chance of finding something that may be 
important for your care. You will be informed of any results that are relevant to your clinical 
care.  
 
We will take photos and/or videos of you during the entire length of each study visit.  We will 
use the photos and/or videos to collect data about your actinic keratoses. We will store the photos 
and video on Cleveland Clinic hospital network drives that are password protected and behind 
the institutional firewalls. If you do not agree to have photos and/or videos taken then you cannot 
participate in the research study. 
 
2. ALTERNATIVES 
   What are the alternatives to participation in the research study?   
 
Your participation in this study is voluntary.  You do not have to be in this study to get treatment 
for your Actinic Keratosis.  If you choose not to participate, your actinic keratosis will still be 
treated using PDT or other standard treatment modalities, such as cryosurgery or 5FU cream. 
 
3. RISKS 
   What are the risks of participating in the research study? 
 
 The risks of phlebotomy (having your blood drawn) are minimal, and include temporary 
bleeding, and bruising at the needle site. 
 Having your blood drawn should not affect the outcome of the PDT treatment in any 
way. 
 Vitamin D supplementation can rarely cause hypercalcemia, or elevated levels of calcium 
in the blood 
 
 
Risks of Genetic Research 
 
Note that we will be collecting your DNA to specifically test for normal variants in genes related to 
Vitamin D and thymidine metabolism, neither of which are associated with any known inheritable 
diseases. However, it is still important for you to know that additional safeguards against improper use 
of your genetic information are in place, as follows: 
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is a federal law designated to protect you from 
health insurance and employment discrimination based on genetic information.  It is illegal for health 
insurance providers and most employers to ask for genetic information to make decisions about a 
person’s eligibility or coverage or to make employment decisions.   
The law will not stop health insurance companies from using genetic information to decide 
whether to pay claims and also does not apply to life insurance, disability insurance or long-term 
care insurance. 
 
Reproductive Risks 
If you are pregnant or nursing at the time of study participation, you cannot be in this study. You 
should not get pregnant, breastfeed, or father a baby while in this study. If you are unwilling to 
do this, we ask that you not participate in this study.  If you or your spouse become pregnant 


Version 4/13/2022 
Page 6 of 12
while taking part in this study you must notify the study doctor immediately.  Any potential 
reproductive risks are associated with the standard of care PDT treatment and should be 
discussed with your physician.  
 
Confidentiality Risks 
There is a potential risk of loss of confidentiality of your data.  Every effort will be made to keep 
your information (data) confidential through the use of the following safeguards: You will be 
assigned a study code and all clinical data required by the protocol will be identified using that 
code. All data is stored using a unique subject assigned number and no personal identifying data 
will be entered. Members of the Cleveland Clinic and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center will 
have access to your data. 
 
Your medical and genetic information is unique to you. There is a risk that someone outside of 
the research study could get access to your study records or trace information in a database back 
to you. They could use that information in a way that could harm you. While the chance that 
someone could access and misuse your information is believed to currently be very small, it is 
possible that the risk may increase in the future as people find new ways to access information. 
 
Blood Draw 
The insertion of the needle to draw blood can be painful; however, the discomfort is brief.  For 
most people, needle punctures to get blood samples do not cause any serious problems; however, 
they may cause bleeding, bruising, discomfort, infections, dizziness, or fainting. 
 
Questionnaire/Survey Research 
 
Some of the questions we will ask you as part of this study may make you feel uncomfortable.  
You may refuse to answer any of the questions and you may take a break at any time during the 
study.  You may stop your participation in this study at any time. 
 
 
 
     4. BENEFITS 
   What are possible benefits of participating in the research? 
 
By participating in this study, you will learn the result of your Vitamin D blood test (whether 
your Vitamin D level is normal, low, or deficient) and receive advice from the study physicians 
about how to achieve or maintain a normal Vitamin D status. Further, your participation in the 
study may help to develop more knowledge to improve PDT treatment so as to prevent pre-
cancers and SCC cancers in future patients.  
 
We cannot know if you will have any benefit as a result of your participation in the study; it is 
possible the study treatment may improve your actinic keratoses, which may give you relief from 
some symptoms, improve your quality of life or prolong your survival. However, it is possible 
that your condition could worsen. Your participation in this study will help us to obtain 
information about treating subjects with a new combination therapy of oral Vitamin D3/PDT as a 
treatment for actinic keratoses. 


Version 4/13/2022 
Page 7 of 12
 
5. COSTS 
Are there any costs to you if you participate in this study? 
 
Your participation in this study does not alter the cost to you.  You and/or your insurance 
company will be responsible for the PDT treatment, which you would receive regardless of 
whether or not you participated in this study, and are considered standard-of-care: 
 
The following research activities are being done only because you are participating in this 
research study and therefore will be paid for by the study sponsor and not billed to you or 
your health insurance plan.  These “research only” activities include:  
 Vitamin D3 supplementation 
 Vitamin D blood tests (25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 serum level). 
 
The following research activities will not be paid by the study sponsor and will be the 
responsibility of you or your health insurance plan:  
 PDT treatment 
 
The Cleveland Clinic Foundation will not pay for the costs of additional visits or hospitalizations 
in connection with this research.  Any such costs will be the responsibility of you, your insurance 
company, or a third party.   
 
The Cleveland Clinic is available to assist you in determining whether or not your insurance will 
cover the procedures associated with this study, whether or not the procedures are being 
performed solely for research purposes.  You and your insurance company will be billed the 
usual and customary charges for all items and services except those required specifically and 
solely for this study.  The Cleveland Clinic will assist you (our Financial Counselor at 216/445-
8662) as reasonably as possible in seeking reimbursement for the cost of these items and 
services.  You will be held personally responsible for any charges, deductibles, or co-payments 
not covered by your insurance company.   
 
6. PAYMENT 
   Are there any payments to you if you participate in this study? 
 
Your involvement in this research study is voluntary and you will not be paid for your 
participation. However, you will receive a free parking voucher on the day of each of your study 
visits. In addition, you will receive a $25 stipend at the completion of your final follow-up visit 
that takes place 3-6 months after PDT. 
 
The IRS requires CCF to report payments to an individual of $600 or greater (in a calendar year) 
on a Form 1099-MISC. Your name, address and social security number will be collected to track 
the payments made to you and, if you receive $600 or greater, will be used to process a Form 
1099-MISC.  
 
 
7. RESEARCH RELATED INJURY 


Version 4/13/2022 
Page 8 of 12
   What will happen if you are injured as a result of taking part in the research? 
 
In the event you suffer a research related injury as a result of being in this study, Cleveland 
Clinic will provide appropriate medical treatment for such injury in a timely manner. Provision 
of such medical treatment does not imply any negligence or other wrongdoing on the part of 
Cleveland Clinic or any of the physicians or other personnel involved in the study. If you believe 
that you have been injured as a result of participating in the study, please immediately contact 
your Cleveland Clinic study doctor even if you may have already been seen or treated by another 
doctor. If you are seen or treated by a doctor other than the study doctor, you should inform such 
doctor that you are in this study and, if possible, take this document with you as it may help such 
doctor treat you. 
 
In the event you suffer a research related injury as a result of being in this study, the costs for 
medical treatment may be billed to you or your medical insurance plan, if applicable. Medical 
insurance plans may or may not cover costs for medical treatment of research-related injuries. If 
you have insurance, you should check with your medical insurance plan before deciding to 
participate in this research study. In the event your medical insurance plan covers some or all of 
the treatment costs, you may still be responsible for co-pays or deductibles as required by your 
medical insurance plan.   
 
Cleveland Clinic has not set aside any money to pay you or to pay for your treatment if you 
suffer a research related injury as a result of being in the study. There are no plans for Cleveland 
Clinic to provide other forms of compensation (such as lost wages, pain and suffering, or other 
direct or indirect losses) to you for research related injuries. You are not waiving any legal rights 
by signing this form, including the right to seek compensation for an injury.  Further information 
about research related injury is available by contacting the Institutional Review Board at (216) 
444-2924.   
 
If you have any questions, concerns or complaints about the research, or develop a research-
related problem, contact Dr. Edward Maytin, Department of Dermatology at 216-444-5139.  
 
Cleveland Clinic Foundation Clinical Research Unit (CRU) study participants may also contact 
the CRU Research Subject Advocate (RSA), at 216-445-7846 with regard to questions about 
study participation and research subject protections. 
 
 
8. PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY 
   What will happen to your information that is collected for this research? 
 
Cleveland Clinic may share your study information, without anyone knowing that it is related to 
you specifically, with others or use it to research projects not listed in this form. Your data may 
be stored and shared for future research without additional informed consent if identifiable 
private information, such as your name and medical record number, are removed. If your 
identifying information is removed from your data, we will no longer be able to identify and 
destroy them. 
 


Version 4/13/2022 
Page 9 of 12
Study results may be shared in medical journals, at scientific meetings, and in other mediums 
without your identifying information. Your records will be confidential and your identity will not 
be shared in medical journals, at scientific meetings, and in other mediums without your express 
consent.  
 
Authorization to Use/Disclose Protected Health Information 
Cleveland Clinic has rules and procedures to protect information about you.  Federal and State 
laws also protect your privacy. 
 
The research team working on the study will collect information about you.  This includes your 
health information, data collected for this research study and personal identifying information 
including your name, address, date of birth and other identifying information. 
 
Generally, only people on the research team will know your identity and that you are in the 
research study.  However, sometimes other people at Cleveland Clinic may see or give out your 
information.  These include people who review research studies including the Institutional 
Review Board and Research Compliance, their staff, lawyers, or other Cleveland Clinic staff. 
 
People outside Cleveland Clinic may see your information for this study.  Examples include 
government groups (such as the Food and Drug Administration), safety monitors, other hospitals 
in the study and the sponsor of the research and their agents.  Cleveland Clinic will do our best to 
ensure your information is kept confidential and that only the health information which is 
minimally required to conduct the study is used or disclosed to people outside Cleveland Clinic; 
however, people outside Cleveland Clinic who receive your information may not be covered by 
this promise. 
 
You do not have to give this permission to use and give out your information; however, you will 
not be able to participate in this research study without providing this permission by signing this 
consent form.  The use and disclosure of your information has no expiration date.   
 
You may cancel your permission to use and disclose your information at any time by notifying 
the Principal Investigator in writing, Edward Maytin, M.D., Ph.D. at The Cleveland Clinic, 9500 
Euclid Avenue, Desk A61, Cleveland, Ohio 44195.  If you do cancel your permission to use and 
disclose your information, your participation in this study will end and no further information 
about you will be collected.  Your cancellation would not affect information already collected in 
the study.   
 
 
9. QUESTIONS 
    Who do you call if you have any questions or problems?  
 
If you have any questions or concerns about the research, or develop a research-related problem, 
you should contact Edward Maytin, M.D., Ph.D. at (216) 444-5139. During non-business hours, 
weekends and holidays, please contact Dermatology Surgical Fellow on-call at (216) 444-2200. 
If you have questions about your rights as a research subject, you should contact the Institutional 
Review Board at (216) 444-2924.  


Version 4/13/2022 
Page 10 of 12 
 
 
10. VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION   
     What are your rights as a research participant? 
 
Taking part in this study is voluntary.  You will be told of any new, relevant information from 
the research that may affect your health, welfare, or willingness to continue in this study.  You 
may choose not to take part or may leave the study at any time.  Withdrawing from the study will 
not result in any penalty or loss of benefits to which you are entitled.  If you decide to withdraw 
from the study you should discuss with your study doctor your decision to ensure a safe 
withdrawal. 
 
If you leave the study early, Cleveland Clinic may use or give out your health information that it 
has already collected if the information is needed for this study or any follow-up activities. 
Scientific or medical information from this study, including photographs of lesions, may be 
presented at meetings or published so that the information can be useful to others.  However, 
your identity would not be revealed.  If you do not wish this to happen, you should not agree to 
take part in this study.  In the event new information becomes available that may affect the risks 
or benefits associated with this study or your willingness to participate in it, you will be notified 
so that you can decide whether or not to continue participating.  If you experience physical injury 
or illness as a result of participating in this research study, medical care is available at Cleveland 
Clinic Foundation or elsewhere; however, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation will not provide free 
care or compensation for lost wages.  
 
The investigator may stop your participation in the study at any time for any of the following 
reasons: 
 
If it is determined that your continued participation would be harmful for your health as 
shown by a change in your laboratory values or medical condition, or 
 
If you do not follow the schedule of visits and treatments for any reason, or 
 
If the study objectives are changed or the study is cancelled. 
 
Can I withdraw my samples? 
If you agree to allow your data to be kept for future research with identifying information that 
could link your sample to you, you are free to change your mind at any time. We ask that you 
contact the Principal Investigator in writing and let to withdraw your permission for your 
identifiable data to be used for future research. The mailing address is 9500 Euclid Avenue, Desk 
A61, Cleveland, Ohio 44195. At that time, we will ask you to indicate in writing if you want the 
unused identifiable data destroyed or if your samples (having all identifying information 
removed that would link the sample to you) could be used for other research. 
 
11. SIGNATURES 
Statement of Participant 
 
I have read and have had verbally explained to me the above information and have had all my 
questions answered to my satisfaction.  I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I 
may stop my participation in the study at any time.  Signing this form does not waive any of my 


Version 4/13/2022 
Page 11 of 12 
legal rights.   I understand that a copy of this consent will be provided to me.  By signing below, 
I agree to take part in this research study.   
 
 
 
_____________________________ 
 
       Printed name of Participant 
 
_____________________________  
___________  
 
           Participant Signature  
 
      Date 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of Person Conducting Informed Consent Discussion 
 
I have discussed the information contained in this document with the participant and it is my 
opinion that the participant understands the risks, benefits, alternatives and procedures involved 
with this research study. 
 
 
_____________________________ 
Printed name of person obtaining consent 
 
_____________________________  
___________  
 
Signature of person obtaining consent 
      Date 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Version 4/13/2022 
Page 12 of 12