Conditions: Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma
Keywords: Methyl aminolevulinate Photodynamic therapy Primary Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 120
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) cream to cryotherapy, in treatment of participants with primary superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Secondary objectives was to compare cosmetic outcome and tolerability (adverse events) in these participants, 3 months after treatment. In addition the recurrence rates in the two treatment groups will be compared up to five years after treatment.

Detailed description:
BCC was a highly frequent skin malignancy, and accounts for approximately 75% of all non-melanoma skin cancers. It is the most common malignant tumour of any organ, mostly affecting head and neck (84%) in fair-skinned people. Several non-pharmacological treatment modalities was used for BCC, including excision surgery, Moh's surgery, radiation, curettage/electrodesiccation and cryotherapy. The treatment used depends on the type, size, depth and localisation of the BCC lesion.

The use of PDT was attractive for the treatment of BCCs because of its efficiency, mild and local side effects and excellent cosmetic outcome. Previous clinical experience was promising and participants with primary BCCs were included in this prospective, randomised, comparative, multicenter study to show that Metvix is non-inferior to alternative treatment with better cosmetic outcome.

The primary end-point is the number of participants in whom 75% or more of the BCC lesions have responded completely at 3 months after PDT with Metvix or 3 months after cryotherapy. Both on-site and independent, blinded response assessments analysed. The analysis based on the results of the independent review board constitutes the primary analysis.

The secondary end-points was the proportion of participants in whom less than 75% of the BCC lesions respond completely, number of lesions across participants that show complete response, evaluation of cosmetic outcome and adverse events 3 months after Metvix PDT or 3 months after cryotherapy. In addition 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months recurrence rates was assessed.

Arms:
arm 1: Participants with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) lesions were administered to photodynamic therapy (PDT) with Metvix® cream 160 milligrams per gram (mg/g) applied for three hours, followed by illumination using non-coherent light with a fluency of 75 Joule per centimeter square (J/cm\*2) and fluency rate of 70-200 milliwatt per centimeter square (mW/cm\*2) up to 13 weeks. arm 2: Cryotherapy was performed with a hand-held liquid nitrogen spray, using a double freeze-thaw cycle. After an initial icefield formation with a 3 millimeter (mm) rim of clinically healthy tissue, the icefield was to be maintained for a minimum of 20 seconds. This procedure was repeated after a thaw of 2-3 times the freeze time up to 12 weeks.

Interventions: intervention 1: Metvix® cream intervention 2: Hand held liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: None intervention 2: None

Protocol document: