Could an antidepressant cream make skin cancer treatment work better?
NCT ID NCT06778434
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a cream containing imipramine (an antidepressant) can improve photodynamic therapy (PDT) for actinic keratosis, a common skin pre-cancer. 48 US veterans with fair skin and many pre-cancerous spots will receive PDT on their face and forearms, with imipramine on one side and a placebo on the other. The goal is to see if imipramine reduces immune suppression from PDT, making the treatment more effective and less painful.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- imipramine (topical cream)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could make a standard skin pre-cancer treatment more effective and less painful for veterans.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial (48 people) testing a new combination of already-approved drugs. It may not show a clear benefit, and results may not apply to the general public.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
About 48 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Apr 2025
- Expected to finish
-
Mar 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
A government agency
The lead sponsor is a US federal agency other than the NIH.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult Males and Females ages 18 and older who are patients at the Dayton VAMC Dermatology clinics * Skin type must be "Fair", Fitzpatrick type I or II, due to the presence of actinic damage in this population. * Subjects must have a VA physician's order to receive PDT treatment on their forearms. * Willing to participate and understand the informed consent document. * Willing to avoid excess sun exposure/tanning beds to the area to be treated with PDT. * Has stable transportation to attend study visits at DVA Exclusion Criteria: * Currently taking any tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) * Currently taking any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) * Has Porphyria * Large tattoos in areas to be tested * Pregnancy or nursing * Taking any oral or topical medications that could interfere with the PDT * Active rashes in the areas
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Actinic keratosis are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Dayton VA Medical Center, Dayton, OH
RECRUITINGDayton, Ohio, 45428, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Could a cream make skin cancer treatment less painful and more effective?
- Veterans' skin cancer risk may be cut by simple clinic procedures
- New test could prevent unnecessary surgery for common skin precancers
- Light therapy shows promise for tough esophageal cancer cases
- New light device could spot skin cancer without a scalpel
- New ointment could zap Sun-Damaged skin lesions