Photothermal therapy for BCC

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Nanoengineered microneedle arrays for enhanced plasmonic photothermal therapy of basal cell carcinoma

• IRAS ID

  263505

• Contact name

  Ryan Donnelly

• Contact email

  r.donnelly@qub.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Queens University Belfast

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 10 months, 29 days

• Research summary

  Basal cell cancer (BCC) accounts for 20% of all cancer diagnoses and 70% of skin cancer diagnoses in the UK. The incidence of BCC is rising, increasing by 1/3 between 2000 and 2010. Although not typically life-threatening, BCCs invade through the skin and underlying tissues resulting in pain, ulceration, bleeding,deformity and loss of function. Surgery is the treatment of choice, but due to rising demand on already stretched services waiting times to treatment in the UK are increasing. BCCS can also be treated with photodynamic therapy (PDT). This involves the application of a light-sensitive cream several hours before exposing the BCC to light. This is only effective for very thin tumours (up to 2mm recommended by the British Photodermatology Group) as the light does not penetrate deeper into the skin. Recurrence of the BCC is also approximately 10% at one year with this method.
  In the current study, we will investigate the ability of an innovative form of photothermal therapy (PTT) to treat BCC. PTT involves the destruction of cancer cells by increasing their temperature. We propose to deliver PTT to BCCs via gold-coated tiny needles (microneedles) applied to the skin surface. We will design and manufacture microneedles informed by the previous extensive experience of our group in this area. We will subsequently assess the safety and efficacy of PTT delivered via these microneedles in a mouse model of BCC. Seperately, we will characterize the ability of laser-heated microneedles to penetrate and controlably heat normal human skin samples, which has been removed from consented patients at the time of routine surgical procedures.

• REC name

  London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  19/LO/1983

• Date of REC Opinion

  8 Jan 2020

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion