Using a combination cream to treat low-grade skin cancer

Combination of 5-Fluorouracil and Calcipotriene in the Treatment of Superficial Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Situ

PHASE2; PHASE3 · Boston University · NCT05381597

This study is testing a new cream that combines two ingredients to see if it can clear low-risk skin cancers faster than the usual treatment.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2; PHASE3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment200 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBoston University (other)
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations1 site (Boston, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT05381597 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial compares the effectiveness of two creams for treating low-risk skin cancers, specifically superficial basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in situ. The standard treatment involves a 4-week regimen of 5-fluorouracil cream, while this trial tests a new compounded cream that combines 5-fluorouracil with calcipotriene for a shorter treatment duration of 7-14 days. The goal is to determine if this new combination can effectively clear these skin cancers in a shorter time frame. The study is being conducted at Boston Medical Center, where the standard treatment is already in use.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include English-speaking individuals with untreated, biopsy-proven superficial basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma in situ.

Not a fit: Patients with skin cancers that are not superficial or those who are surgical candidates may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a more efficient treatment option for patients with low-grade skin cancers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with similar combination treatments for related skin conditions, suggesting potential for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* English-speaking
* Having a previously untreated, biopsy-proven Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma (sBCC) or Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Situ (SCCis) of the skin \<2 cm on the scalp, trunk, neck, or extremities, excluding hands, feet, and genitalia
* Having a previously untreated, biopsy-proven sBCC or SCCis on the face, hands, feet, and genitalia who decline surgery or are otherwise not surgical candidates
* Willing to undergo all protocol requirements and attend study-specific follow up clinic visits in addition to routine follow up visits
* Participants may have multiple lesions enrolled in the study so long as the individual lesions are greater than 2 cm from each other
* If a woman is of childbearing potential, the participant must be willing to take a pregnancy test before starting treatment and be on some form of birth control while receiving treatment. Birth control can include abstinence, oral contraceptive pill, intrauterine device, implanted birth control device, birth control patch, or the vaginal ring. The patient does not need to be on any form of birth control after they end therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current or prior field treatment within 2 cm of the target BCC or SCCis
* Periorbital lesions
* Lesions that have been previously treated
* Known allergy to any of the study medication ingredients
* History of solid organ transplant or current immunosuppression
* Genetic disorders associated with high skin cancer risk
* Arsenic exposure
* Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
* Current or prior radiation therapy at the site of the sBCC or SCCis
* Women who are pregnant or currently breastfeeding
* Prior psoralen plus Ultraviolet light (UVA) treatment at the site
* Very high mortality risk at the start of the study
* Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) enzyme deficiency
* Demonstrated hypercalcemia or evidence of vitamin D toxicity
* Lesions that extend into the oral, nasal or genital mucosa

Where this trial is running

Boston, Massachusetts

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Situ, 5-fluorouracil cream, fluorouracil with calcipotriene

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.