Research and clinical trials
Researchers around the world are looking at better ways to prevent and treat non melanoma skin cancer and manage treatment side effects. Go to Cancer Research UK’s clinical trials database if you are looking for a trial for non melanoma skin cancer in the UK. You need to talk to your specialist if there are any trials that you think you might be able to take part in
Some of the trials on this page have now stopped recruiting people. It takes time before the results are available. This is because the trial team follow the patients for a period of time and collect and analyse the results. We have included this ongoing research to give examples of the type of research being carried out in non melanoma skin cancer.
All cancer treatments must be fully researched before they can be used for everyone. This is so we can be sure that:
they work
they work better than the treatments already available
they are safe
To make sure the research is accurate, each trial has certain entry conditions for who can take part. These are different for each trial.
Hospitals do not take part in every clinical trial. Some trials are only done in a small number of hospitals, or in one area of the country. You may need to travel quite far if you take part in these trials.
There has been a lot of research to see if artificial intelligence (AI) can diagnose skin cancers.
The NHS uses an AI tool called DERM to diagnose skin cancers. The doctor photographs the suspected skin cancer using a smart phone camera with a special lens. The DERM tool examines the photographs to identify skin cancers. And to decide who does not need to see a skin specialist.
The NHS continues to collect evidence about how well DERM works. Your healthcare team use DERM carefully to lower the risk of missing a cancer diagnosis. For example, a health professional always checks a DERM assessment if a person with black or brown skin has a suspected skin cancer.
They are also looking into whether DERM can reduce the number of unnecessary referrals to see a skin specialist or to have a .
Some people have rough patches of skin called . There is a small risk that it can turn into skin cancer. The risk is higher if you have a weak .
Researchers are comparing treatments for actinic keratosis with suncream. They want to find out the best way to prevent actinic keratoses from developing into skin cancer in people with a weak immune system.
Researchers have looked at and for skin cancer. These treatments work in different ways. For example, they can change the way signal to each other. Or they can stimulate the body to attack or control cancer cells.
Targeted drugs and immunotherapies being looked at include:
pembrolizumab
cemiplimab
Researchers are also looking at a virus treatment for some cancers, including skin cancer. They have found a way to change the cold sore virus so it can target and destroy cancer cells. The changed virus is called RP1. They are studying RP1 on it's own, or together with an immunotherapy drug called nivolumab.
Dabrafenib and trametinib are targeted cancer drugs which doctors use to treat people with melanoma and lung cancer. They work best for people with a particular change in their cancer called BRAF V600. Researchers are looking at this drug to treat other cancers with the same , such as non melanoma skin cancer.
Researchers are looking at a type of liquid . Rhenium Skin Cancer Therapy (SCT) is a paste with particles in it.
They put a small piece of protective foil onto the skin cancer. Then they spread Rhenium SCT on top. You have 1 treatment. After treatment your skin is not radioactive as the paste does not come into contact with the skin. And no further radiation will come from the treatment area.
In Europe doctors use Rhenium SCT to treat non melanoma skin cancer. And research so far has shown that it works as well as surgery or radiotherapy but without the side effects.
Research is now trying to find out:
how well Rhenium SCT works
how it affects
what the skin looks like after treatment (cosmetic outcome)
more about the side effects
Some people with have a high risk of their SCC coming back after surgery. This is called recurrence. Researchers want to find out whether radiotherapy after surgery is helpful and better than not having radiotherapy. This is for people with a high risk of recurrence.
Last reviewed: 24 Jul 2026
Next review due: 24 Jul 2029
If you see a trial on our database that you are interested in, you will usually need to discuss it with your own doctor or cancer specialist.
Get support to cope during and after skin cancer treatment, including how to protect your skin in the sun.
Non melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and other rare types.
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Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
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