Microneedle Array Plus Doxorubicin in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Cancer (cSCC)

Last updated: April 8, 2025
Sponsor: Falo, Louis, MD
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

1/2

Condition

Carcinoma

Lung Cancer

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Treatment

Microneedle Array Doxorubicin (MNA-D)

Clinical Study ID

NCT05377905
STUDY21090123
1P50CA254865-01A1
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

The purpose of this study is to test a new method of experimental treatment for cutaneous squamous cell skin cancer, using small adhesive-like patches (a micro-needle applicator or MNA for short), which have dozens of very small micro-needles loaded with extremely low doses of doxorubicin, a chemotherapy agent. The overall goal of this study is to test the safety and effectiveness of these patches. The investigators have established the highest tolerated dose at 50 micrograms in a previous study for a different type of cancer that affects the skin. The investigators will thoroughly evaluate the skin where the patches are applied.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Subjects must have a histological diagnosis of cSCC based upon a skin biopsy.

  2. Subjects must have resectable stage I-III disease.

  • Measures ≥5 millimeters (mm; post-biopsy) and <100 mm in longest diameter
  1. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status of 0, 1 or 2

  2. Subjects must have an expected survival of greater than or equal to 12 months.

  3. Subjects must not be on any other investigational device/drug treatment.

  4. Subjects must be willing to adhere to the instructions of the Investigator and hisresearch team and sign an Informed Consent Form prior to entry into the study.

  5. Subjects must have the following pretreatment laboratory parameters: granulocytes ≥1,500/mm3; platelets >50,000/mm3; serum creatinine ≤2X the upper limit of normal (ULN); AST, ALT ≤3X the ULN, bilirubin ≤1.5X ULN unless Gilbert's disease then ≤3XULN.

  6. Subjects must be at least 18 years of age and must be able to understand the writteninformed consent/assent document.

  7. Subjects must have no evidence of active infection, regardless of the degree ofseverity or localization. Subjects with active infections (whether or not theyrequire antibiotic therapy) may be eligible for study participation after completeresolution of the infection. Subjects on antibiotic therapy must be off antibioticsbefore beginning treatment.

  8. Subjects must not receive any other treatment for cSCC except emollients ofsubject's choice without topical steroids, anti-fungal or antibacterial topicalpreparations.

  9. Subjects with multiple cSCC may re-enroll in the study if greater than 4 weekselapses between courses and if all other inclusion/exclusion criteria are met.

  10. Patients with HIV infection with CD4+ T-cell (CD4+) counts ≥ 350 cells/uL will beeligible for the study. Patients without a history of AIDS-defining opportunisticinfections will be eligible for the study.

  11. Subjects must be willing/able to comply with standard of care measures for subjectswith cSCC such as sun avoidance and sun protection.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Subjects with the following tumor characteristics:
  • >4 mm depth;

  • Clark level IV;

  • perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion;

  • primary site on the ear or non-glabrous lip;

  • location in the hands or feet;

  • large size: ≥10 mm on neck or pretibial area; ≥20 mm on trunk or extremities;

  • indistinct borders;

  • rapid growth;

  • recurrent lesion;

  • lesion in site of chronic inflammation or prior radiation therapy;

  • presence of neurologic symptoms; or • poorly differentiated, and aggressivehistopathologic subtypes.

  1. Subjects with uncontrolled pain that would preclude participation in the study.

  2. Subjects who are pregnant or lactating.

  3. Subjects who have sensitivity to drugs that provide local anesthesia.

  4. Impaired cardiac function or clinically significant cardiac disease, including anyof the following:

  • Symptomatic congestive heart failure requiring treatment

  • Clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia

  • Uncontrolled hypertension

  • Corrected QT interval (QTc) >470 msec at Screening or congenital long QTsyndrome

  • Acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris < 3 months prior to thefirst dose

  • New York Heart Association Functional Class III or higher (i.e. markedlimitation of physical activity due to symptoms, or unable to carry on anyphysical activity without discomfort)

  1. Subjects with other active malignancies with the exception of non-metastaticprostate cancer and carcinoma in situ of the skin and cervix.

  2. Active, known, or suspected autoimmune disease or a documented history of autoimmunedisease, except vitiligo or resolved childhood asthma/atopy.

• Individuals with vitiligo, type I diabetes, residual hypothyroidism only requiringhormone replacement, psoriasis not requiring systemic treatment, history ofHashimoto's thyroiditis on stable dose of thyroid hormone replacement therapy,adrenal insufficiency only requiring physiologic steroid replacement, or conditionsnot expected to recur should not be excluded.

  1. Major surgery within 2 weeks of the first dose of study agent

  2. History of or current drug-induced interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis Grade ≥2

  3. Subjects with the disease only on the face, skin folds, head, scalp, and genitalarea.

Study Design

Total Participants: 48
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Microneedle Array Doxorubicin (MNA-D)
Phase: 1/2
Study Start date:
September 13, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
December 31, 2026

Study Description

This study will evaluate a novel approach to the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell cancer (cSCC) of patients diagnosed previously by skin biopsy with cSCC utilizing a dissolvable microneedle array (MNA) delivery device that is used to directly and specifically deliver a drug to the tumor microenvironment for skin cancer therapy. The investigators will utilize MNAs to deliver a well-characterized, potent chemotherapeutic agent (doxorubicin) to kill topically accessible, cutaneous SCC cells. In addition to directly killing cancer cells, doxorubicin is known to induce an immunologic cell death with the potential to simultaneously convert a cutaneous neoplasm into a highly potent patient specific immunogen capable of inducing innate, adaptive, and tumor specific effector and memory immune responses. Importantly, doxorubicin is currently in clinical use with a well-established safety profile. It is anticipated that use of the MNA-Doxorubicin (MNA-D) delivery system will enable direct and specific delivery of chemotherapy to the tumor, thereby avoiding any potential for systemic toxicity. The study will be conducted using two groups: one group will consist of patients with immunocompetent immune systems and the second group will consist of patients who have had an organ transplant and are considered immunoincompetent.efficacy and safety evaluation. The first phase is now completed. Following a screening/baseline phase, the MNA-D patch application and assessment visits will occur from week 0 through week 3, followed by a rest week and at week 5, up to week 8, a final follow up visit will take place. At the final follow up visit, the remaining cSCC lesion will be removed in a standard of care manner to ensure that all tissue margins are clear of the cSCC.

Connect with a study center

  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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