Light therapy may unlock immune secrets of common skin cancer

NCT ID NCT05020912

Ongoing Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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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.

BASAL CELL CARCINOMA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Cleveland Clinic, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, United States

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