Clinical trial · Interventional
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Topical 5% Niacinamide for Skin Cancer Prevention in Transplant Recipients
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 8, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260908-000001
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Topical 5% Niacinamide for Skin Cancer Prevention in Organ Transplant Recipients This study is designed to evaluate whether a topical 5% niacinamide cream can help prevent skin cancer in organ transplant recipients. Individuals who have received an organ transplant have a much higher risk of developing precancerous skin growths and skin cancers because of long-term immune-suppressing medications. Although sunscreen is an important part of sun protection, additional preventive approaches are needed. Early research suggests that niacinamide may help protect the skin, and this trial will examine whether a topical formulation provides benefit in this high-risk group. The study will test whether daily use of topical 5% niacinamide reduces the number of actinic keratoses over 6 and 12 months and whether it decreases the development of new keratinocyte cancers when compared with sunscreen alone. The study will also evaluate how well the topical product is tolerated and whether it can be used consistently as part of a daily skin-care routine. A total of 20 adult organ transplant recipients with a history of multiple actinic keratoses and at least one prior non-melanoma skin cancer will enroll in this 12-month, randomized, controlled trial. Participants will be assigned to receive either daily topical 5% niacinamide plus sunscreen or sunscreen alone. Skin examinations will be performed at 6 and 12 months using standardized mapping methods. Information on treatment tolerability, adherence, and any side effects will be collected through structured surveys, and any lesions suspicious for cancer will be evaluated by a board-certified pathologist.
Conditions
Conditions (4)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actinic Keratosis (AK) | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (CSCC) | Skin Squamous Cell Carcinoma | ALIAS | 0.85 |
| Organ Transplant Recipient | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Skin Cancer | Malignant Skin Neoplasm | ALIAS | 0.90 |
Interventions
Interventions (2)
| Intervention | Type | Mapped drug | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunscreen | Drug | — | UNRESOLVED |
| Topical niacinamide 5% cream | Drug | Niacinamide | ALIAS |
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (2)
- type
- ACTIVE_COMPARATOR
- label
- Sunscreen Only
- description
- The participants will not be assigned to any intervention. They will use broad spectrum SPF 30 daily sunscreen as instructed regardless of whether or not they are enrolled in the study.
- interventionNames
- Drug: Sunscreen
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- Sunscreen + Niacinamide
- description
- In addition to using broad spectrum SPF 30 daily sunscreens, participants will apply topical 5% niacinamide daily to any sun exposed areas.
- interventionNames
- Drug: Topical niacinamide 5% cream
- Drug: Sunscreen
Primary outcomes (1)
- measure
- Change in baseline AK count
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- All
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥18 History of solid organ transplantation At least 5 AKs in the past year or prior history of skin cancer Participants are willing to continue using SPF30 sunscreen from their own supply Exclusion Criteria: Known allergy to niacinamide or sunscreen components Eczema or other skin conditions for which niacinamide is contraindicated
References
Publications (16)
- BACKGROUNDZhang H, George-Washburn EA, Hashemi KB, Cho E, Walker J, Weinstock MA, Bostom A, Robinson-Bostom L, Gohh R. Oral Nicotinamide for Actinic Keratosis Prevention in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Pilot Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Transplant Proc. 2023 Nov;55(9):2079-2084. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2023.06.016. Epub 2023 Oct 12. PMID 37838527
- BACKGROUNDZalaudek I, Piana S, Moscarella E, Longo C, Zendri E, Castagnetti F, Pellacani G, Lallas A, Argenziano G. Morphologic grading and treatment of facial actinic keratosis. Clin Dermatol. 2014 Jan-Feb;32(1):80-7. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2013.05.028. PMID 24314380
- BACKGROUNDWhitley MJ, Suwanpradid J, Lai C, Jiang SW, Cook JL, Zelac DE, Rudolph R, Corcoran DL, Degan S, Spasojevic I, Levinson H, Erdmann D, Reid C, Zhang JY, Robson SC, Healy E, Havran WL, MacLeod AS. ENTPD1 (CD39) Expression Inhibits UVR-Induced DNA Damage Repair through Purinergic Signaling and Is Associated with Metastasis in Human Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Invest Dermatol. 2021 Oct;141(10):2509-2520. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.02.753. Epub 2021 Apr 20. PMID 33848530
- BACKGROUNDTorres-Moral T, Tell-Marti G, Bague J, Roses-Gibert P, Calbet-Llopart N, Mateu J, Perez-Anker J, Potrony M, Alejo B, Iglesias P, Espinosa N, Orte Cano C, Cinotti E, Del Marmol V, Fontaine M, Miyamoto M, Monnier J, Perrot JL, Rubegni P, Tognetti L, Suppa M, Demessant-Flavigny AL, Le Floc'h C, Prieto L, Malvehy J, Puig S. Evaluation of the Biological Effect of a Nicotinamide-Containing Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen on Photodamaged Skin. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2024 Dec;14(12):3321-3336. doi: 10.1007/s13555-024-01298-7. Epub 2024 Nov 7. PMID 39509031
- BACKGROUNDThompson BC, Halliday GM, Damian DL. Nicotinamide enhances repair of arsenic and ultraviolet radiation-induced DNA damage in HaCaT keratinocytes and ex vivo human skin. PLoS One. 2015 Feb 6;10(2):e0117491. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117491. eCollection 2015. PMID 25658450
- Sivapirabu G, Yiasemides E, Halliday GM, Park J, Damian DL. Topical nicotinamide modulates cellular energy metabolism and provides broad-spectrum protection against ultraviolet radiation-induced immunosuppression in humans. Br J Dermatol. 2009 Dec;161(6):1357-64. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09244.x. Epub 2009 Apr 20.