Hydrogen Peroxide for Skin Cancer

Overseen By Robin Sachdeva, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute and Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Must not be taking: 5-Fluorouracil

Disqualifiers: Metastatic disease, Gorlins syndrome, others

Stay on Your Current Meds You can continue your current medications while participating

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 4 weeks

51 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing a treatment where a strong hydrogen peroxide solution is applied to skin cancer spots. It targets patients with non-melanoma skin cancers, particularly on the head and neck, to reduce the size of the spots before surgery or other treatments. The hydrogen peroxide works by breaking down cancer cells, potentially leading to smaller treatment areas and better cosmetic outcomes. Hydrogen peroxide has been shown to successfully treat non-melanoma skin cancers by reducing spot size, simplifying removal and healing.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have used 5-Fluorouracil cream on the lesion in the last 8 weeks, you cannot participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Hydrogen Peroxide 30% Topical Solution for skin cancer?

Research shows that advanced skin cancer cells remain sensitive to hydrogen peroxide, which induces oxidative stress leading to cell death. This suggests that hydrogen peroxide could be effective in treating certain types of skin cancer. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is hydrogen peroxide safe for use on skin?

Hydrogen peroxide is generally safe for skin use in low concentrations (1% to 6%), but higher concentrations (9% to 45%) can cause severe skin damage. It is approved for treating certain skin conditions like seborrheic keratoses and actinic keratosis, with some studies showing it is well tolerated and causes fewer side effects compared to other treatments. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How does hydrogen peroxide treatment for skin cancer differ from other treatments?

Hydrogen peroxide treatment for skin cancer is unique because it increases oxygen availability in the skin, which can enhance the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (a treatment that uses light to activate a drug that kills cancer cells). This approach is different from traditional treatments that may not focus on oxygen levels to improve therapy outcomes. ^{11 12 13 14 15}

Research Team

Jinka Sathya, MD

Principal Investigator

Western University

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Pathologically confirmed measurable basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or well to moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

You have had a skin reaction to light in the past, or have a medical condition that makes your skin sensitive to hydrogen peroxide.

Previous application of 5-Fluorouracil cream to the lesion within the last 8 weeks

The area being studied has unclear or blurry boundaries.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive topical application of 30% hydrogen peroxide once every week for 4 weeks

4 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Long-term Follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term outcomes and adverse events

1 year

Visits at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Hydrogen Peroxide 30 % Topical Solution

Participant Groups

Group I: 30% hydrogen peroxide Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

30% hydrogen peroxide liquid topical application. 2 drops (0.10 ml) of hydrogen peroxide solution per centimeter of lesion. Once every week for continuous 4 weeks. If there is complete clinical response, further hydrogen peroxide will not be done.

Group II: 3% hydrogen peroxide Placebo Group 1 Intervention

3% hydrogen peroxide liquid topical application. 2 drops (0.10 ml) of hydrogen peroxide solution per centimeter of lesion. Once every week for continuous 4 weeks. If there is complete clinical response, further hydrogen peroxide will not be done.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute and Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Lead Sponsor

Trials

686

Recruited

427,000+

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Lead Sponsor

Trials

678

Recruited

421,000+

London Health Sciences Centre OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's

Lead Sponsor

Trials

668

Recruited

424,000+

Jinka Sathya

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

50+

Lawson Health Research Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

684

Recruited

432,000+

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measuring the success of treatments for squamous cell cancer of the skin. [2021]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pattern of sensitivity of progressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells to UVB and oxidative stress-induced cell death. [2021]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Release of Perillyl Alcohol from the Different Kind of Vehicles. [2018]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of vitamin treatment or supplements with purported antioxidant properties on skin cancer prevention: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2011]

5. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Photodynamic therapy for 50 patients with skin cancers or precancerous lesions. [2016]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hydrogen peroxide as a hemostatic agent during dermatologic surgery. [2020]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hydrogen Peroxide 40% for the Treatment of Seborrheic Keratoses. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hydrogen peroxide and cutaneous biology: Translational applications, benefits, and risks. [2021]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of hydrogen peroxide-based tooth whitening products and its relationship to oral cancer. [2013]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy and safety of hydrogen peroxide topical solution in treating actinic keratosis: A randomized controlled trial. [2021]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Photodynamic therapy of nonmelanoma skin cancer with topical hypericum perforatum extract--a pilot study. [2021]

12. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increased cutaneous oxygen availability by topical application of hydrogen peroxide cream enhances the photodynamic reaction to topical 5-aminolevulinic acid-methyl ester. [2013]

13. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Differential aspects of Solcoderm therapy as a function of dermatologic diagnoses. [2019]

14. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Photodynamic therapy with systemic administration of photosensitizers in dermatology. [2020]

15. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Topical treatment of periocular basal cell epithelioma with solcoderm. [2018]