What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for skin cancer include photodynamic therapy (PDT), topical treatments, and surgery. PDT can cause side effects such as redness, swelling, and a burning sensation at the treatment site. Topical treatments, like imiquimod and fluorouracil, may lead to local skin reactions including redness, itching, and irritation. Surgical options, while generally effective, can result in scarring, infection, and changes in skin appearance. Educational and behavioral interventions, such as teaching skin self-examination, focus on early detection and typically do not have direct physical side effects.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved several treatments for skin cancer, including topical therapies like imiquimod and 5-fluorouracil, which are used for superficial basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis. Photodynamic therapy, involving the application of a photosensitizing agent followed by light exposure, is another approved method. Additionally, systemic treatments such as vismodegib and sonidegib, which inhibit the hedgehog signaling pathway, are approved for advanced basal cell carcinoma. These treatments, along with educational interventions promoting skin self-examination, aim to enhance early detection and improve patient outcomes.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives to Skin Self-Examination Education for skin cancer patients include: 1) Photoaging mobile apps like Sunface, which have shown preliminary success in increasing awareness and preventive behaviors among adolescents. 2) Pre-treatment educational videos that improve patient satisfaction and adherence to treatments like 5-fluorouracil for actinic keratoses. 3) Daylight photodynamic therapy, which is a nearly painless and effective treatment for actinic keratoses, offering a convenient alternative to conventional photodynamic therapy.

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Technology-Enabled Skin Cancer Screening for Stem Cell Transplant Survivors

N/A

Waitlist Available

Led By Saro H Armenian

Research Sponsored by City of Hope Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Have undergone autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) at City of Hope (COH)

Be older than 18 years old

Must not have

Patients who have evidence of active hematologic malignancy or acute illness that would limit study participation

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up up to 12 months

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial studies the impact of educating stem cell transplant patients and their doctors on early detection of skin cancer. Patients receive information on how to check their skin and periodic reminders, while doctors get training and tools to better identify suspicious spots. The goal is to catch skin cancer early when it is easier to treat.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for stem cell transplant survivors who are 2-5 years post-transplant, can read and write in English or Spanish, have seen a primary care provider recently or plan to within a year, and can receive text messages. Those with active cancer or acute illness that limits participation cannot join.

What is being tested?

The TEACH Study tests a 12-month program aimed at early skin cancer detection in stem cell transplant survivors. It includes education for both patients and doctors, questionnaires, computer tools, dermatoscopes for skin examination, and follow-up via text messaging.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this study involves educational interventions rather than medications or invasive procedures, traditional side effects are not expected. However, participants may experience anxiety or stress related to increased vigilance about their health.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I had a stem cell transplant at City of Hope.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Select...

I do not have an active blood cancer or severe illness that would prevent me from participating in the study.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ up to 12 months

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~up to 12 months

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and up to 12 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Downstream costs

Economic impact on patients - cost-effectiveness analysis

Economic impact on patients - sensitivity analysis

+3 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

3Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Group III (PAE, physician, dermatoscope)Experimental Treatment6 Interventions

Participants receive a study packet on skin cancer. Participants also receive text messages once every 3 weeks for 9 months. Participants' physician receives a letter that describes the educational intervention and encourages them to do a skin examination at next patient visit. Physicians also receive a free dermatoscope with instructions for uploading images of suspect lesions and attend a 30-minute online course comprising additional descriptions of dermoscopic images for skin cancers and "mimickers" common in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients, along with clear instructions for using a dermatoscope and steps to integrate dermoscopy into their practice.

Group II: Group II (PAE, physician)Experimental Treatment4 Interventions

Group III: Group I (PAE)Experimental Treatment3 Interventions

Participants receive a study packet on skin cancer. Participants also receive text messages once every 3 weeks for 9 months.

0 / 2Eligibility criteria met

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for skin cancer include electrochemotherapy, which combines electrical pulses with chemotherapy to enhance drug uptake by cancer cells; photodynamic therapy, which uses light-activated drugs to destroy cancer cells; radiotherapy, which employs high-energy radiation to target and kill cancer cells; intralesional therapy, where drugs are injected directly into the tumor; and topical therapy, which involves applying medication directly to the skin. These treatments are crucial for skin cancer patients as they offer targeted approaches to eliminate cancer cells, minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue, and improve outcomes through early detection and intervention.

Basal cell epithelioma. Types, treatment methods, and prognosis.Self-applied topical interventions for melasma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from randomized, investigator-blinded clinical trials.Effect of a Pre-Treatment Educational Video in Improving Patient Satisfaction with 5-Fluorouracil Treatment for Actinic Keratoses: A Randomized Controlled Trial.