Thursday, July 10, 2025 The SKC1 skin cancer clinical trial is now open to enrollment across Canada. This study aims to determine whether adding an immunotherapy drug prior to the standard surgical treatment for advanced skin cancer can improve patient outcomes. This study addresses a substantial unmet need in this patient population.Traditionally, advanced skin cancer is treated with surgery, sometimes followed by radiation. SKC1 is exploring whether treatment upfront with immunotherapy followed by surgery offers better results for patients. Participants in the trial will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard surgical treatment alone or the study drug followed by surgery. “As a patient, I see the value of enrolling in this trial to test a new approach to skin cancer treatment. If the immunotherapy treatment shrinks or stabilizes the cancer, it could lead to a smaller incision and less scarring with fewer side effects and improved quality of life,” says CCTG patient representative Sally Nystrom.Researchers hope the findings will help determine whether the new neoadjuvant approach can better shrink or stabilize cancer and improve surgical outcomes, event-free survival and patients' quality of life. Participants will also complete quality-of-life questionnaires throughout the trial.To learn more:SKC1 information > SKC1 information for members > Dr. Teresa Petrella SKC1 study chair Dr Janet Dancey SKC1 Senior Investigator Sally Nystrom, CCTG Patient Representative
