“I think it’s really important that people keep signing up to these type of trials to push research forward.”
A trial looking at treatment for basal cell skin cancer (SINS)
Cancer type:
Basal cell skin cancer
Non melanoma skin cancer
Skin cancer
Status:
Results
Phase:
Phase 3
This trial compared surgery with imiquimod (Aldara) for basal cell skin cancer. This trial was supported by Cancer Research UK.
Basal cell skin cancer (also called basal cell carcinoma or BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer. It usually grows slowly, and rarely spreads. BCCs are often removed with surgery.
Imiquimod (Aldara) is a cream that stimulates the immune system. This means it uses the body’s natural defences to kill the cancer cells in the skin.
The aim of this trial was to compare surgery and imiquimod for the treatment of superficial and nodular BCC. So patients in future might not always have to have an operation to remove their BCC. The doctors didn’t think that imiquimod would be better than surgery, but they wanted to see exactly how good it was against the gold 
of surgery and to see if the cosmetic outcome was any better.
Summary of results
The trial team found that imiquimod didn’t work as well as surgery for basal cell carcinoma.
This was a phase 3 trial. It recruited 501 people. It was a randomised trial.
- 254 people were to have imiquimod
- 247 people were to have surgery
After 3 years they were able to look at the results of 401 people. In the group who had imiquimod, 178 out of 213 were successfully treated (84%). In the group who had surgery, 185 out of 188 were successfully treated (98%).
At 6 months, and 3 years, the researchers asked people to rate the cosmetic appearance of the treatment area. Both groups rated the cosmetic appearance highly (excellent or good).
They also showed pictures of the treatment areas to 2 doctors who specialise in skin conditions (dermatologists) and asked them to rate the cosmetic appearance. The pictures weren’t identified with which treatment the person had. Both dermatologists significantly favoured the cosmetic appearance of those treated with imiquimod.
The most common side effects of imiquimod were
- Itchy, red, sore skin at the tumour site
- Weeping and scabbing at the tumour site
- Flu like symptoms and feeling unwell
The most common complications of surgery were
- Itching at the tumour site
- Weeping at the tumour site
The trial team concluded that surgery remained the best treatment for basal cell carcinoma. But imiquimod cream might still be a useful treatment for small basal cell carcinomas when factors such as patient preference, the size, number and location of tumours were considered.
We have based this summary on information from the team who ran the trial. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists () and published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team. We have not analysed the data ourselves.
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
Chief Investigator
Professor Hywel Williams
Supported by
Cancer Research UK
Meda
NIHR Clinical Research Network: Cancer
University of Nottingham
Other information
This is Cancer Research UK trial number CRUK/02/006.
Freephone 0808 800 4040
Last review date
CRUK internal database number:
Oracle 69
Please note - unless we state otherwise in the summary, you need to talk to your doctor about joining a trial.
Charlie took part in a trial to try new treatments
