A new therapeutic could help patients with non-melanoma skin cancer avoid immediate surgery, data shows. 

The Phase II SkinJect dataset, released by biotech company Medicus Pharma, shows microneedle-mediated delivery of doxorubicin led to a response rate of approximately 80%. 

The study, which compared doxorubicin compared with a biologically active device-only control in patients with nodular basal carcinoma (BCC), also led to 73% clinical clearance reported and evidence of continued biological activity over time. 

The findings mean lesions achieving visual clearance could be monitored or treated with less invasive approaches, with SkinJect as a potential non-surgical treatment alternative in appropriate patients. 

This could help patients with limited access to Mohs surgery, those seeking less invasive treatment options, or individuals with high lesion burden, including those with Gorlin Syndrome. 

“In my view as principal investigator, the dataset is clinically meaningful, supports continued development, and justifies regulatory engagement and further trials,” said Dr Babar Rao, Principal Investigator of the study. 

“The clear separation between active drug and device-only control demonstrates a clinically meaningful therapeutic effect on top of a biologically active platform. 

“Approximately three out of four treated lesions may achieve visual tumour clearance, potentially allowing many patients to avoid immediate surgical intervention.”