Could a common pain cream help stop skin cancer before it starts?
NCT ID NCT02636569
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a daily application of diclofenac gel, a common anti-inflammatory drug, can reverse certain biomarkers in the skin that are linked to non-melanoma skin cancer. Twenty-four adults at risk for skin cancer applied the gel for 30 days, and researchers took small skin samples to measure changes. The goal was to find the best dose for reducing these early warning signs, potentially leading to a simple way to prevent skin cancer.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
topical diclofenac gel
What this could lead to
If successful, this could point toward a simple daily cream that helps prevent non-melanoma skin cancers in high-risk people.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase trial with only 24 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The cream is tested for biomarker changes, not directly for cancer prevention, and may not reduce actual cancer risk.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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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.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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University of Alabama at Birmingham Whitaker Clinic
Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States