Candida antigen in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer. Recently, there has been renewed interest in various immunotherapies in the treatment of BCC. The current study is a randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled trial of intralesional Candida antigen in the treatment of nodular BCC.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intralesional Candida antigen in the treatment of BCC.


RESULTS
In the control group, no patients had complete clearing of their tumor. In the Candida group, 10 of 17 (56%) patients had complete clearing of their tumor. The Fisher exact test was used to compare the two treatment groups. This showed the difference in clearance rates to be of borderline significance, with a p value of .105.


CONCLUSIONS
Although immunotherapy with repeated injections of Candida antigen appears to be effective in clearing superficial and nodular BCCs, it is unlikely to alter our current treatment of BCC.
Aftergut
Kent
K
Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Curry
Mary
M
Cohen
Jack
J
D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002175:Candida / Q000276:immunology*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000946:Antigens, Fungal