Effects of Nicotinamide on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients with Skin Cancer History

Randomized Phase 2 Studying the Effects of Nicotinamide in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) With History of Non-melanoma Skin Cancers (NMSC)

Phase 2 Interventional University of Utah · NCT04844528

This study is testing if taking nicotinamide can help prevent new skin cancers in people with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who have a history of skin cancer.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment86 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Utah Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation, cyclophosphamide, fludarabine
Locations1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Trial IDNCT04844528 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase II clinical trial investigates the effects of oral nicotinamide on patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who have a history of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either nicotinamide or a placebo for one year, followed by a crossover to nicotinamide for all participants in the second year. The study aims to quantify the number of new NMSC cases developed in each group after one and two years, with dermatologic examinations and skin biopsies conducted for further analysis. The trial is designed to assess the potential protective effects of nicotinamide against the development of new skin cancers in this patient population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with a confirmed diagnosis of CLL and a history of at least one non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed within the last five years.

Not a fit: Patients without a history of non-melanoma skin cancers or those with other types of leukemia may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new therapeutic approach to reduce the incidence of skin cancers in patients with CLL.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of using nicotinamide in this context may be novel, similar studies have explored the effects of nicotinamide on skin cancer prevention with promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female subject aged ≥ 18 years.
* Confirmed diagnosis of CLL or small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL) per iwCLL 2018 criteria.
* History of ≥1 non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) diagnosed within the last 5 years
* Adequate liver function as defined as:

  * Total Bilirubin ≤ 1.5x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)

    ---Subjects with a known diagnosis of Gilbert's Syndrome: direct bilirubin ≤ 1.5x ULN
  * AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤ 3 × institutional ULN
* For female subjects: Negative pregnancy test or evidence of post-menopausal status. The post-menopausal status will be defined as having been amenorrheic for 12 months without an alternative medical cause. The following age-specific requirements apply:

  --Women \< 50 years of age:
  * Amenorrheic for ≥ 12 months following cessation of exogenous hormonal treatments; and
  * Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the post-menopausal range for the institution; or
  * Underwent surgical sterilization (bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy).
* Women ≥ 50 years of age:

  * Amenorrheic for 12 months or more following cessation of all exogenous hormonal treatments; or
  * Had radiation-induced menopause with last menses \>1 year ago; or
  * Had chemotherapy-induced menopause with last menses \>1 year ago; or
  * Underwent surgical sterilization (bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or hysterectomy).
* Female subjects of childbearing potential and male subjects with a sexual partner of childbearing potential must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Received cytotoxic chemotherapy (including fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, bendamustine, or chlorambucil) within the last 6 months
* Received allogeneic stem cell transplant within the last 6 months.
* Taking nicotinamide or niacin supplements within the last 4 weeks.
* Taken acitretin or other oral retinoids within the past 6 months
* Received field treatment for AKs (topical use of 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, diclofenac, retinoids; topical photodynamic therapy for AKs; laser resurfacing or chemical peel treatments for AKs) within the previous 4 weeks
* Large areas of confluent skin cancer at baseline preventing accurate assessment and counting of individual new skin cancers
* Need for ongoing carbamazepine use (possible interaction with nicotinamide)
* Severe GI malabsorption that may interfere with absorption of nicotinamide (per investigator's discretion)
* Patients with an expected life expectancy \< 2 years
* Current evidence of uncontrolled, diabetes.
* Current evidence or history of peptic ulcer disease.
* Known HIV infection with a detectable viral load within 6 months of the anticipated start of treatment.

Note: Subjects on effective antiretroviral therapy with an undetectable viral load within 6 months of the anticipated start of treatment are eligible for this trial.

* Known active uncontrolled infection.
* Medical, psychiatric, cognitive, or other conditions that may compromise the subject's ability to understand the subject information, give informed consent, comply with the study protocol or complete the study.
* Known prior severe hypersensitivity to investigational product (IP) or any component in its formulations (NCI CTCAE v5.0 Grade ≥ 3).
* Subjects taking prohibited medications as described in study protocol. A washout period of prohibited medications for a period of at least five half-lives or as clinically indicated should occur before the start of treatment.
* Have ever received a solid organ transplant and are currently taking immunosuppressive medications.

Where this trial is running

Salt Lake City, Utah

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaNon-melanoma Skin Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.