Growth rate of clinically diagnosed superficial basal cell carcinoma and changes in dermoscopic features over time

Skin cancer: understanding the journey of transformation from conventional to advanced treatment approaches

Skin cancer is a global threat to the healthcare system and is estimated to incline tremendously in the next 20 years, if not diagnosed at an early stage. Even though it is curable at an early stage, novel drug identification, clinical success, and drug resistance is another major challenge. To bridge the gap and bring effective treatment, it is important to understand the etiology of skin carcinoma, the mechanism of cell proliferation, factors affecting cell growth, and the mechanism of drug resistance. The current article focusses on understanding the structural diversity of skin cancers, treatments available till date including phytocompounds, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photothermal therapy, surgery, combination therapy, molecular targets associated with cancer growth and metastasis, and special emphasis on nanotechnology-based approaches for downregulating the deleterious disease. A detailed analysis with respect to types of nanoparticles and their scope in overcoming multidrug resistance as well as associated clinical trials has been discussed.

[Translated article] Tumor Doubling Time in Skin Cancer: Can It Be Estimated and Is It Useful?

Skin cancer, like other cancers, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of transformed cells. Tumor growth has been studied for decades. We review different methods for measuring skin tumor growth and propose a new system for estimating tumor doubling time that could be useful in the management of skin cancer.

Tumor Doubling Time in Skin Cancer: Can It Be Estimated and Is it Useful?

Skin cancer, like other cancers, is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of transformed cells. Tumor growth has been studied for decades. We review different methods for measuring skin tumor growth and propose a new system for estimating tumor doubling time that could be useful in the management of skin cancer.

Treatment of skin tumors with intratumoral interleukin 12 gene electrotransfer in the head and neck region: a first-in-human clinical trial protocol

BACKGROUND

Immune therapies are currently under intensive investigation providing in many cases excellent responses in different tumors. Other possible approach for immunotherapy is a targeted intratumoral delivery of interleukin 12 (IL-12), a cytokine with anti-tumor effectiveness. Due to its immunomodulatory action, it can be used as an imunostimulating component to in situ vaccinating effect of local ablative therapies. We have developed a phIL12 plasmid devoid of antibiotic resistance marker with a transgene for human IL-12 p70 protein. The plasmid can be delivered intratumorally by gene electrotransfer (GET).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Here we present a first-in-human clinical trial protocol for phIL12 GET (ISRCTN15479959, ClinicalTrials NCT05077033). The study is aimed at evaluating the safety and tolerability of phIL12 GET in treatment of basal cell carcinomas in patients with operable tumors in the head and neck region. The study is designed as an exploratory, dose escalating study with the aim to determine the safety and tolerability of the treatment and to identify the dose of plasmid phIL12 that is safe and elicits its biological activity.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this trail protocol will therefore provide the basis for the use of phIL12 GET as an adjuvant treatment to local ablative therapies, to potentially increase their local and elicit a systemic response.

Photodynamic Therapy for Basal Cell Carcinoma: The Clinical Context for Future Research Priorities

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established treatment option for low-risk basal cell carcinoma (BCC). BCC is the most common human cancer and also a convenient cancer in which to study PDT treatment. This review clarifies challenges to researchers evident from the clinical use of PDT in BCC treatment. It outlines the context of PDT and how PDT treatments for BCC have been developed hitherto. The sections examine the development of systemic and subsequently topical photosensitizers, light delivery regimens, and the use of PDT in different patient populations and subtypes of BCC. The outcomes of topical PDT are discussed in comparison with alternative treatments, and topical PDT applications in combination and adjuvant therapy are considered. The intention is to summarize the clinical relevance and expose areas of research need in the BCC context, ultimately to facilitate improvements in PDT treatment.