Study to Determine the Safety of Two Applications of PEP005 Topical Gel to Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female patients at least 18 years of age
* One sBCC on the arm, shoulder, chest, face, neck, abdomen, leg, back or scalp suitable for surgical excision
* Histological confirmation of sBCC based on the central dermatopathologist's evaluation of the punch biopsy
* Longest pre- and post-biopsy diameter of the sBCC lesion between 4 mm and 15 mm
* Maximum thickness of 4 mm of the sBCC lesion
* Laboratory values within the reference ranges as defined by the central laboratory or "out of range" test results that are clinically acceptable to the Investigator
* Ability to follow study instructions and likely to complete all study requirements
* Written informed consent
* Male patients with a female partner of childbearing potential must use an approved form of contraception during the study and for 4 weeks after the last visit
* Agreement from the patient to allow photographs of all selected lesions (including the face) to be taken and used as part of the study data package

Exclusion Criteria:

* Location of the outside margin of the anticipated treatment area of the sBCC selected for treatment:

  1. within 10 cm of a malignant lesion that will require treatment during the study
  2. within 5 cm of an incompletely healed wound
  3. within 2 cm of a pre-malignant lesion (e.g. actinic keratosis lesion)
  4. within 2 cm of the open eyelid margins
  5. within 1 cm of a scar or an area previously treated with surgical excision
  6. on the lips
  7. on the breast
  8. on the hand or foot
  9. in a skin crease
* sBCC lesion selected for treatment requiring Mohs micrographic surgery
* Presence of known or suspected metastatic disease
* Histological evidence of actinic keratoses or nBCC in the screening visit biopsy sample
* Histological evidence of BCC with micro-nodular features or squamous metaplasia, sclerosing BCC (i.e. desmoplastic or morphoeic), or BCC with perineural involvement in the screening visit biopsy sample
* History of recurrence of the sBCC lesion
* History or evidence of skin diseases which would interfere with evaluation of the treatment area (e.g. eczema, unstable psoriasis, xeroderma pigmentosa)
* Known sensitivity to any of the ingredients in the study medication
* A cosmetic or therapeutic procedure (e.g. use of liquid nitrogen, surgical excision, curettage, dermabrasion, medium or greater depth chemical peel, laser resurfacing) within 10 cm of the selected sBCC lesion during the 3 months prior to study entry or anticipated treatment within 10 cm of the selected lesion during the study
* Treatment with 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, diclofenac or photodynamic therapy:

  1. of lesions located within 10 cm of the selected sBCC lesion during the 3 months prior to study entry or
  2. anywhere during the 4 weeks prior to study entry or anticipated treatment during the study
* Use of acid-containing products (e.g. salicylic acids or fruit acids, such as alpha and beta hydroxy acids and glycolic acids), topical retinoids or light chemical peels within 10 cm of the selected sBCC lesion during the 3 months prior to study entry or anticipated treatment in this same area during the study
* Treatment with immuno-modulators (e.g. cyclosporine, prednisone, methotrexate, infliximab or other biological agents), cytotoxic drugs (e.g. vinblastine, cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, chlorambucil, methotrexate), or interferon/interferon inducers during the 4 weeks prior to study entry or anticipated treatment during the study
* Treatment with psoralen plus UVA or use of UVB therapy during the 6 months prior to study entry or anticipated treatment during the study
* Use of systemic retinoids (e.g. isotretinoin, acitretin) during the 6 months prior to study entry or anticipated treatment during the study
* Anticipated excessive or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light (e.g. sunlight, tanning beds) or use of topical salves, creams or ointments to the selected lesion during the study
* Anticipated need for hospitalization or non-dermatological surgery during the study
* Concurrent disease that suppresses the immune system (e.g. HIV) or uncontrolled systemic disease (e.g. uncontrolled hypertension, poorly controlled diabetes)
* Current evidence of chronic alcohol or drug abuse
* Current enrolment in an investigational drug or device study or participation in such a study within 30 days of entry into this study
* Diagnosis of xeroderma pigmentosa or Gorlin Syndrome (i.e. Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome)
* A condition or situation which in the Investigator's opinion may put the patient at significant risk, may confound the study results, or may interfere significantly with the patient's participation in the study
* Females of child bearing potential (a female is considered of childbearing potential unless she is postmenopausal, i.e., no menses for at least 12 consecutive months, or is without a uterus)