Topical Sirolimus in Chemoprevention of Facial Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients (SiroSkin)

A Randomised Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial of Topical Sirolimus in Chemoprevention of Facial Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

01.21 SiroSkin is a phase 3, double-blind, multi-centre, parallel-arm, randomised, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the use of topical 1% sirolimus in the chemoprevention of skin cancer, versus placebo, applied every night for 24 weeks in solid organ transplant recipients.

Keratinocyte carcinomas are a major burden affecting mortality and morbidity in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). Due to an increased prevalence of skin cancers, SOTRs require recurrent skin checks and frequent skin cancer surgery. The gold standard of treatment is surgery, enabling complete remission and a cure in the majority of cases. Despite this, there is no effective way of preventing new cancers from developing in the same area.

Oral sirolimus is a selective immunosuppressant agent which has proven to reduce the burden of skin cancer; however, it is poorly tolerated due to side effects. Topical sirolimus has proven effective in reducing the skin cancer burden in animal models and is safe on the face of patients with tuberous sclerosis. An initial 12-week phase II clinical trial recently conducted by the research team suggested topical sirolimus to be safe and effective, as it reduced the early signs of skin cancer without any major side effects.

In this phase III randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we propose using 1% topical sirolimus applied to the face on a regular basis for 24 weeks. We aim to determine whether this topical cream can fill a major gap in our current therapies by reducing the onset of new skin cancers and therefore reduce the burden of disease in terms of number of biopsies and surgeries, and potential hospitalisations and death.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be aged 18 years or older and able to provide consent
2. Have received an organ transplant equal to or greater than 12 months prior to consent
3. Have had at least 1 SCC/BCC in the past 5 years
4. Have at least 5 keratotic lesions on their face at inclusion or have a history of keratinocyte cancer on the face in the past 5 years

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Are currently receiving sirolimus or everolimus orally*
2. Have a skin cancer on their face requiring excisional surgery**
3. Have an open wound on their face requiring treatment
4. Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the next 6 months
5. Anticipate elective medical events which may prevent daily cream application.
6. Are unable to provide informed consent, complete questionnaires and attend trial site for visits
7. Are participating in another clinical trial with an investigational drug/device aiming to reduce skin cancers or affect level of immunosuppression
8. Planning to move overseas within 2 years

(*)Patients are eligible to join the study after ceasing treatment and after a washout period of 16 days for sirolimus and 8 days for everolimus.

(**) Once treatment of the lesion is completed these patients can be re-screened.