Nonmelanoma Skin CancerNCT07241585
Vitamin D Effects on Immune Microenvironment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer After Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
A study testing Vitamin D (VitD) and Photodynamic therapy (PDT) in people with Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer and Basal Cell Carcinoma, run by Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This research study is for people who have been diagnosed with a nonmelanoma skin cancer (either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) and are planning to receive either Mohs surgery or ED\&C (electrodessication \& curettage) as part of clinical care. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer, Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- What is being tested?
- Vitamin D (VitD) and Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 54 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 25 Feb 2026to Aug 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Must be an adult participant (> 18 yrs) who is scheduled to undergo Mohs surgery or ED\&C within the Dermatologic Surgery unit of the Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic.
- Must have at least one BCC or SCC tumor eligible for removal by Mohs surgery.
- The original tumor size prior to biopsy must be >1.0 cm (in the longest diameter).
- Participants of any ethnic group are eligible for this trial.
- Must provide informed consent to participate in the trial.
- Participant must live in Ohio (Groups 2 \& 3), because Research Pharmacy cannot ship the study drugs outside of the state.
Who cannot join
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Currently being treated for other cancers with medical or radiation therapy
- Known hypersensitivity to 5-aminolevulinic acid
- History of a photosensitivity disease, e.g., porphyria cutanea tarda
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation Taussig Cancer Institute
Cleveland, Ohio, 44106
Edward Maytin, MD, PhD
Edward Maytin, MD, PhD
About this study
This research study is for people who have been diagnosed with a nonmelanoma skin cancer (either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) and are planning to receive either Mohs surgery or ED\&C (electrodessication \& curettage) as part of clinical care. The purpose of this study is to understand how photodynamic therapy (PDT) with or without Vitamin D can promote an immune response to skin cancer.
For this study, participants will be randomized (randomly assigned) and asked to take Vitamin D or placebo for 6 days and come to the clinic for a single PDT treatment 1-14 days prior to their surgery. At this visit, photographs of participant's skin cancer will be taken, and participants will undergo PDT treatment. The study team will also take photos on the day of Mohs surgery or ED\&C. There will be up to two blood draws for research.
If participants do not want to come in for a PDT treatment prior to their Mohs surgery or ED\&C, they will have the option to participate by only allowing the study team to collect data about their skin cancer and their tissue from Mohs surgery or ED\&C.
Read the detailed description
This research study explores the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC). NMSC are made up of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). PDT is a treatment for NMSC that may be used instead of surgery. PDT uses light and a special chemical reaction to kill cancer cells on the skin's surface. First, an agent called aminolevulinate (ALA) is put on the skin of the tumor. Then, a bright blue light is shined on the skin, which causes a chemical reaction to occur. This chemical reaction helps to damage and kill cancer cells.
NMSCs are common and can usually be cured with surgery. However, surgery can leave scars or result in disfigurement. This can be especially difficult for people who have tumors on their face or other visible or sensitive parts of the body. As an alternative to surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is approved in Europe to treat BCC and SCC. However, because PDT does not work as well on thicker tumors, the U.S. FDA has not yet approved it for use on NMSC in this country. Investigators want to better understand how PDT damages and kills tumor cells, so that knowledge can be used to make the treatment more effective.
Vitamin D (VitD) is both a nutrient and a steroid-like hormone. Over 10+ years of research in investigators' laboratory has shown that VitD works well with PDT to treat NMSC. When participants receive a high dose of VitD before PDT, the treatment is able to clear the tumor more effectively. This has been shown in studies with mice that had early skin cancer, as well as mice with thick skin cancer. It has also been shown to be effective in participants with BCC. One reason that VitD may help is because it increases the amount of photosensitizing agent that can accumulate within the tumor, which helps to effectively kill cancer cells with PDT when light is applied. However, VitD has another important effect, which is that it helps to attract immune cells into the tumor. This effect has been seen in mouse models of SCC. The primary purpose of this study is to further investigate this immune mechanism in humans.
- Being tested
- Vitamin D (VitD), Placebo, Photodynamic therapy (PDT), Mohs surgery or electrodessication & curettage (ED&C) (standard of care)
- Keywords
- Mohs surgery, Electrodessication & curettage, ED&C, Photodynamic therapy, PDT, Vitamin D
- Medical subject headings
- Carcinoma, Basal Cell, Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Vitamin D (VitD)Dietary supplement
Participants will orally take 10,000 international units daily of VitD for the 6 days prior to their scheduled PDT visit. Participants in Arms 2 and 3 will be blinded to whether they are receiving VitD or placebo.
PlaceboOther
Participants will orally take a placebo (gelatin) capsule for the 6 days prior to their scheduled PDT visit. Participants in Arms 2 and 3 will be blinded to whether they are receiving VitD or placebo.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT)Other
PDT involves a topical photosensitizing agent called aminolevulinate (ALA) being applied to the tumor surface. ALA is then activated by shining a blue light on the skin, causing a photodynamic reaction to occur. Participants will receive PDT 1-14 days prior to their scheduled Mohs surgery or ED\&C visit.
Mohs surgery or electrodessication & curettage (ED&C) (standard of care)Procedure or surgery
Participants are eligible for this study by already planning to undergo Mohs surgery or ED\&C, which will be conducted per standard of care. For Arms 2 and 3, participants will undergo Mohs surgery or ED\&C 1-14 days after their PDT visit. For Arm 1, participants will undergo Mohs surgery or ED\&C at their scheduled time. All participants donate their discarded tissue from the Mohs surgery for research.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Arm 1: Participants donate discarded tissue for research (No VitD/Placebo + no PDT) | Other | Participants in Arm 1 will donate discarded tissue from their scheduled standard of care Mohs surgery or ED\&C. They will not be randomized to receive VitD or placebo and will not have PDT. Receives: Procedure: Mohs surgery or electrodessication & curettage (ED&C) (standard of care) |
| Arm 2: VitD + PDT prior to Mohs surgery or ED&C | Experimental | Participants in Arms 2 and 3 will be randomized to receive either VitD or placebo prior to PDT and Mohs surgery or ED\&C visit. Receives: Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D (VitD); Other: Photodynamic therapy (PDT); Procedure: Mohs surgery or electrodessication & curettage (ED&C) (standard of care) |
| Arm 3: Placebo + PDT prior to Mohs surgery or ED&C | Placebo comparator | Participants in Arms 2 and 3 will be randomized to receive either VitD or placebo prior to PDT and Mohs surgery or ED\&C visit. Receives: Other: Placebo; Other: Photodynamic therapy (PDT); Procedure: Mohs surgery or electrodessication & curettage (ED&C) (standard of care) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Expression of immune checkpoint molecules
Expression of immune checkpoint molecules will be compared in tumors and peri-tumoral stroma after photodynamic therapy (PDT) versus tumors without PDT and is defined as changes in the expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and TIM3, among other checkpoint inhibitors. This will be measured using the scRNA-seq data obtained from tumor tissues via Parse Biosciences scRNA-seq analysis.
Measured: At time of Mohs surgery or ED&C, up to Day 20
Secondary outcomes (3)
Ratio of cytotoxic T cells to regulatory T cells
Ratio of cytotoxic T cells to regulatory T cells will be compared in tumors and peri-tumoral stroma after photodynamic therapy (PDT) versus tumors without PDT. This is measured using scRNA-seq data (Parse Bioscienes scRNA-sequencing kit).
Measured: At time of Mohs surgery or ED&C, up to Day 20
Ratio of M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages
Ratio of M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages will be compared in tumors and peri-tumoral stroma after photodynamic therapy (PDT) versus tumors without PDT. This is measured using scRNA-seq data (Parse Bioscienes scRNA-sequencing kit).
Measured: At time of Mohs surgery or ED&C, up to Day 20
Proportion of tumor-activated CD8+ T-cells in circulating T-cells
Proportion of tumor-activated CD8+ T-cells in circulating T-cells will be compared in tumors and peri-tumoral stroma after photodynamic therapy (PDT) versus tumors without PDT. This will be measured using peripheral blood analyzed using fluorescence-labelling and flow analysis (FACS)
Measured: At time of Mohs surgery or ED&C, up to Day 20
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Nov 2025
- Study start25 Feb 2026
- Primary completionMar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (9)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Nonmelanoma Skin CancerStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Case Comprehensive Cancer CenterThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Edward Maytin, MD, PhD, Principal investigator, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07241585
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CASE12Z25
- Other IDs
- 5P01CA084203
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 18 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All IPD that underlie results in publication
Publications
Braathen LR, Szeimies RM, Basset-Seguin N, Bissonnette R, Foley P, Pariser D, Roelandts R, Wennberg AM, Morton CA; International Society for Photodynamic Therapy in Dermatology. Guidelines on the use of photodynamic therapy for nonmelanoma skin cancer: an international consensus. International Society for Photodynamic Therapy in Dermatology, 2005. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 Jan;56(1):125-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2006.06.006.
PubMed 17190630Pogue BW, Chen B, Ochoa MI, Petusseau A, Liu A, Gibson ALF, Maytin EV, Wilson BC. Emerging uses of 5-aminolevulinic-acid-induced protoporphyrin IX in medicine: a review of multifaceted, ubiquitous, molecular diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic opportunities. J Biomed Opt. 2025 Dec;30(Suppl 3):S34112. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.30.S3.S34112. Epub 2025 Oct 8.
PubMed 41070141Ortenzio MP, Anand S, Travers JB, Maytin EV, Rohan CA. Immunomodulatory effects of photodynamic therapy for skin cancer: Potential strategies to improve treatment efficacy and tolerability. Photochem Photobiol. 2026 May-Jun;102(3):533-547. doi: 10.1111/php.70008. Epub 2025 Jul 4.
PubMed 40616218Anand S, Shen A, Cheng CE, Chen J, Powers J, Rayman P, Diaz M, Hasan T, Maytin EV. Combination of vitamin D and photodynamic therapy enhances immune responses in murine models of squamous cell skin cancer. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2024 Feb;45:103983. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.103983. Epub 2024 Jan 27.
PubMed 38281610Maytin EV, Hasan T. Vitamin D and Other Differentiation-promoting Agents as Neoadjuvants for Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer. Photochem Photobiol. 2020 May;96(3):529-538. doi: 10.1111/php.13230. Epub 2020 Apr 15.
PubMed 32077114Anand S, Wilson C, Hasan T, Maytin EV. Vitamin D3 enhances the apoptotic response of epithelial tumors to aminolevulinate-based photodynamic therapy. Cancer Res. 2011 Sep 15;71(18):6040-50. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-11-0805. Epub 2011 Aug 1.
PubMed 21807844Bullock TA, Mack JA, Negrey J, Kaw U, Hu B, Anand S, Hasan T, Warren CB, Maytin EV. Significant Association of Poly-A and Fok1 Polymorphic Alleles of the Vitamin D Receptor with Vitamin D Serum Levels and Incidence of Squamous Cutaneous Neoplasia. J Invest Dermatol. 2023 Aug;143(8):1538-1547. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.01.028. Epub 2023 Feb 20.
PubMed 36813159Maytin EV, Zeitouni NC, Updyke A, Negrey JT, Shen AS, Heusinkveld LE, Mack JA, Hu B, Anand S, Maytin TA, Giostra L, Bullock T, Warren CB, Hasan T. High-dose oral vitamin D in combination with photodynamic therapy can accelerate the clearance rate of basal cell carcinoma: A randomized clinical trial. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2025 Oct;55:104704. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2025.104704. Epub 2025 Jul 7.
PubMed 40633744Anand S, Hasan T, Maytin EV. Treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer with pro-differentiation agents and photodynamic therapy: Preclinical and clinical studies (Review). Photochem Photobiol. 2024 Nov-Dec;100(6):1541-1560. doi: 10.1111/php.13914. Epub 2024 Feb 4.
PubMed 38310633
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Vitamin D Effects on Immune Microenvironment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer After Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07241585
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CASE12Z25
- Keywords
- Mohs surgery, Electrodessication & curettage, ED&C, Photodynamic therapy, PDT, Vitamin D
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 54 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Case Comprehensive Cancer CenterUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Study start
- 25 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 21 Nov 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This research study is for people who have been diagnosed with a nonmelanoma skin cancer (either basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) and are planning to receive either Mohs surgery or ED\&C (electrodessication \& curettage) as part of clinical care. The purpose of this study is to understand how photodynamic therapy (PDT) with or without Vitamin D can promote an immune response to skin cancer.
For this study, participants will be randomized (randomly assigned) and asked to take Vitamin D or placebo for 6 days and come to the clinic for a single PDT treatment 1-14 days prior to their surgery. At this visit, photographs of participant's skin cancer will be taken, and participants will undergo PDT treatment. The study team will also take photos on the day of Mohs surgery or ED\&C. There will be up to two blood draws for research.
If participants do not want to come in for a PDT treatment prior to their Mohs surgery or ED\&C, they will have the option to participate by only allowing the study team to collect data about their skin cancer and their tissue from Mohs surgery or ED\&C.
Detailed description
This research study explores the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC). NMSC are made up of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). PDT is a treatment for NMSC that may be used instead of surgery. PDT uses light and a special chemical reaction to kill cancer cells on the skin's surface. First, an agent called aminolevulinate (ALA) is put on the skin of the tumor. Then, a bright blue light is shined on the skin, which causes a chemical reaction to occur. This chemical reaction helps to damage and kill cancer cells.
NMSCs are common and can usually be cured with surgery. However, surgery can leave scars or result in disfigurement. This can be especially difficult for people who have tumors on their face or other visible or sensitive parts of the body. As an alternative to surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is approved in Europe to treat BCC and SCC. However, because PDT does not work as well on thicker tumors, the U.S. FDA has not yet approved it for use on NMSC in this country. Investigators want to better understand how PDT damages and kills tumor cells, so that knowledge can be used to make the treatment more effective.
Vitamin D (VitD) is both a nutrient and a steroid-like hormone. Over 10+ years of research in investigators' laboratory has shown that VitD works well with PDT to treat NMSC. When participants receive a high dose of VitD before PDT, the treatment is able to clear the tumor more effectively. This has been shown in studies with mice that had early skin cancer, as well as mice with thick skin cancer. It has also been shown to be effective in participants with BCC. One reason that VitD may help is because it increases the amount of photosensitizing agent that can accumulate within the tumor, which helps to effectively kill cancer cells with PDT when light is applied. However, VitD has another important effect, which is that it helps to attract immune cells into the tumor. This effect has been seen in mouse models of SCC. The primary purpose of this study is to further investigate this immune mechanism in humans.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Arm 1: Participants donate discarded tissue for research (No VitD/Placebo + no PDT) | Other | Procedure: Mohs surgery or electrodessication & curettage (ED&C) (standard of care)Participants in Arm 1 will donate discarded tissue from their scheduled standard of care Mohs surgery or ED\&C. They will not be randomized to receive VitD or placebo and will not have PDT. |
| Arm 2: VitD + PDT prior to Mohs surgery or ED&C | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D (VitD), Other: Photodynamic therapy (PDT), Procedure: Mohs surgery or electrodessication & curettage (ED&C) (standard of care)Participants in Arms 2 and 3 will be randomized to receive either VitD or placebo prior to PDT and Mohs surgery or ED\&C visit. |
| Arm 3: Placebo + PDT prior to Mohs surgery or ED&C | Placebo comparator | Other: Placebo, Other: Photodynamic therapy (PDT), Procedure: Mohs surgery or electrodessication & curettage (ED&C) (standard of care)Participants in Arms 2 and 3 will be randomized to receive either VitD or placebo prior to PDT and Mohs surgery or ED\&C visit. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Must be an adult participant (> 18 yrs) who is scheduled to undergo Mohs surgery or ED\&C within the Dermatologic Surgery unit of the Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic.
- Must have at least one BCC or SCC tumor eligible for removal by Mohs surgery.
- The original tumor size prior to biopsy must be >1.0 cm (in the longest diameter).
- Participants of any ethnic group are eligible for this trial.
- Must provide informed consent to participate in the trial.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Currently being treated for other cancers with medical or radiation therapy
- Known hypersensitivity to 5-aminolevulinic acid
- History of a photosensitivity disease, e.g., porphyria cutanea tarda
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D (VitD)Participants will orally take 10,000 international units daily of VitD for the 6 days prior to their scheduled PDT visit. Participants in Arms 2 and 3 will be blinded to whether they are receiving VitD or placebo. | Dietary supplement | Arm 2: VitD + PDT prior to Mohs surgery or ED&C |
| PlaceboParticipants will orally take a placebo (gelatin) capsule for the 6 days prior to their scheduled PDT visit. Participants in Arms 2 and 3 will be blinded to whether they are receiving VitD or placebo. | Other | Arm 3: Placebo + PDT prior to Mohs surgery or ED&C |
| Photodynamic therapy (PDT)PDT involves a topical photosensitizing agent called aminolevulinate (ALA) being applied to the tumor surface. ALA is then activated by shining a blue light on the skin, causing a photodynamic reaction to occur. Participants will receive PDT 1-14 days prior to their scheduled Mohs surgery or ED\&C visit. | Other | Arm 2: VitD + PDT prior to Mohs surgery or ED&C, Arm 3: Placebo + PDT prior to Mohs surgery or ED&C |
| Mohs surgery or electrodessication & curettage (ED&C) (standard of care)Participants are eligible for this study by already planning to undergo Mohs surgery or ED\&C, which will be conducted per standard of care. For Arms 2 and 3, participants will undergo Mohs surgery or ED\&C 1-14 days after their PDT visit. For Arm 1, participants will undergo Mohs surgery or ED\&C at their scheduled time. All participants donate their discarded tissue from the Mohs surgery for research. | Procedure or surgery | Arm 1: Participants donate discarded tissue for research (No VitD/Placebo + no PDT), Arm 2: VitD + PDT prior to Mohs surgery or ED&C, Arm 3: Placebo + PDT prior to Mohs surgery or ED&C |
Primary outcome
Expression of immune checkpoint molecules
Time frame: At time of Mohs surgery or ED&C, up to Day 20
Expression of immune checkpoint molecules will be compared in tumors and peri-tumoral stroma after photodynamic therapy (PDT) versus tumors without PDT and is defined as changes in the expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and TIM3, among other checkpoint inhibitors. This will be measured using the scRNA-seq data obtained from tumor tissues via Parse Biosciences scRNA-seq analysis.
3 secondary outcomes
Ratio of cytotoxic T cells to regulatory T cells
Time frame: At time of Mohs surgery or ED&C, up to Day 20
Ratio of M1 macrophages to M2 macrophages
Time frame: At time of Mohs surgery or ED&C, up to Day 20
Proportion of tumor-activated CD8+ T-cells in circulating T-cells
Time frame: At time of Mohs surgery or ED&C, up to Day 20
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Aug 2026.
- Background: PubMed 17190630Braathen LR, Szeimies RM, Basset-Seguin N, Bissonnette R, Foley P, Pariser D, Roelandts R, Wennberg AM, Morton CA; International Society for Photodynamic Therapy in Dermatology. Guidelines on the use of photodynamic therapy for nonmelanoma skin cancer: an international consensus. International Society for Photodynamic Therapy in Dermatology, 2005. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 Jan;56(1):125-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2006.06.006.
- Background: PubMed 41070141Pogue BW, Chen B, Ochoa MI, Petusseau A, Liu A, Gibson ALF, Maytin EV, Wilson BC. Emerging uses of 5-aminolevulinic-acid-induced protoporphyrin IX in medicine: a review of multifaceted, ubiquitous, molecular diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic opportunities. J Biomed Opt. 2025 Dec;30(Suppl 3):S34112. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.30.S3.S34112. Epub 2025 Oct 8.
- Background: PubMed 40616218Ortenzio MP, Anand S, Travers JB, Maytin EV, Rohan CA. Immunomodulatory effects of photodynamic therapy for skin cancer: Potential strategies to improve treatment efficacy and tolerability. Photochem Photobiol. 2026 May-Jun;102(3):533-547. doi: 10.1111/php.70008. Epub 2025 Jul 4.
- Background: PubMed 38281610Anand S, Shen A, Cheng CE, Chen J, Powers J, Rayman P, Diaz M, Hasan T, Maytin EV. Combination of vitamin D and photodynamic therapy enhances immune responses in murine models of squamous cell skin cancer. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2024 Feb;45:103983. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2024.103983. Epub 2024 Jan 27.
- Background: PubMed 32077114Maytin EV, Hasan T. Vitamin D and Other Differentiation-promoting Agents as Neoadjuvants for Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer. Photochem Photobiol. 2020 May;96(3):529-538. doi: 10.1111/php.13230. Epub 2020 Apr 15.
- Background: PubMed 21807844Anand S, Wilson C, Hasan T, Maytin EV. Vitamin D3 enhances the apoptotic response of epithelial tumors to aminolevulinate-based photodynamic therapy. Cancer Res. 2011 Sep 15;71(18):6040-50. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-11-0805. Epub 2011 Aug 1.
- Background: PubMed 36813159Bullock TA, Mack JA, Negrey J, Kaw U, Hu B, Anand S, Hasan T, Warren CB, Maytin EV. Significant Association of Poly-A and Fok1 Polymorphic Alleles of the Vitamin D Receptor with Vitamin D Serum Levels and Incidence of Squamous Cutaneous Neoplasia. J Invest Dermatol. 2023 Aug;143(8):1538-1547. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.01.028. Epub 2023 Feb 20.
- Background: PubMed 40633744Maytin EV, Zeitouni NC, Updyke A, Negrey JT, Shen AS, Heusinkveld LE, Mack JA, Hu B, Anand S, Maytin TA, Giostra L, Bullock T, Warren CB, Hasan T. High-dose oral vitamin D in combination with photodynamic therapy can accelerate the clearance rate of basal cell carcinoma: A randomized clinical trial. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2025 Oct;55:104704. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2025.104704. Epub 2025 Jul 7.
- Background: PubMed 38310633Anand S, Hasan T, Maytin EV. Treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer with pro-differentiation agents and photodynamic therapy: Preclinical and clinical studies (Review). Photochem Photobiol. 2024 Nov-Dec;100(6):1541-1560. doi: 10.1111/php.13914. Epub 2024 Feb 4.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All IPD that underlie results in publication
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Edward Maytin, MD, PhD principal investigator
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland Clinic
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Vitamin D (VitD) and Photodynamic therapy (PDT) in people with Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer and Basal Cell Carcinoma, run by Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Edward Maytin, MD, PhD ((216) 346-6022, maytine@ccf.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Expression of immune checkpoint molecules (time frame: At time of Mohs surgery or ED&C, up to Day 20). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07241585, which also lists 9 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Aug 2026.