Light therapy may unlock immune secrets of common skin cancer

NCT ID NCT05020912

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

Summary

This study looks at how a light-based treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT) changes the immune response in basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a common skin cancer. Researchers will treat one BCC lesion with PDT and then compare immune markers in treated and untreated tumors from 18 adults scheduled for surgery. The goal is to understand the immune changes better, which could help develop more effective combination therapies in the future.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and blue light photodynamic therapy (PDT)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward better combination treatments for basal cell carcinoma by understanding how PDT boosts the immune system.

What could go wrong

This is a very small, early-phase study (18 participants) focused on immune markers, not on curing cancer. The results may not lead to new treatments or apply to all patients.

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.

basal cell carcinoma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Cleveland Clinic, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

    Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States