AI app aims to catch deadly skin cancer early in rare disease patients

NCT ID NCT05843994

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study is developing an artificial intelligence app to detect squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) in people with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a rare genetic blistering condition. Twenty adults with RDEB and a history of skin cancer will submit photos of their skin through an online survey. The goal is to train the AI to recognize cancer from patient-taken photos, which could eventually lead to a home-use app for early detection.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

online survey and photograph submission

What this could lead to

If successful, this could lead to a home-use app that helps patients and doctors spot skin cancer early, improving outcomes.

What could go wrong

This is an early-stage study with only 20 participants, and the AI may not work as well on real-world photos as it does on professional images.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Congenital Abnormalities epidermolysis bullosa epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica hereditary disease hereditary skin disorder recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa Skin Abnormalities skin disorder skin neoplasm skin squamous cell carcinoma squamous cell carcinoma vesiculobullous skin disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Lurie Children's Hospital

    Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States