Scientists have developed a new skin cream that may help the body fight a common form of skin cancer by activating the skin’s own immune defenses.
The early research, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggests that this cream could slow down tumor growth and possibly help prevent some skin cancers from becoming more dangerous.
The cream was created by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In laboratory studies using preclinical models, the treatment successfully triggered the immune system in the skin and helped suppress the growth of tumors linked to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, often shortened to cSCC.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most common cancers worldwide. In the United States alone, about one million people are diagnosed with this type of skin cancer every year. Most cases are treatable, especially when the cancer is found early and removed through surgery.
However, a small percentage of tumors—about five percent—can spread to other parts of the body. When that happens, the disease becomes much more dangerous and can lead to thousands of deaths each year.
The number of cases of this skin cancer is rising. One reason is that people are living longer, and another is that many people spend long periods of time in the sun without enough protection. Over time, ultraviolet radiation from sunlight can damage the DNA in skin cells, which can lead to cancer.
For many patients, treatment involves removing cancerous spots with surgery. While surgery is often successful, it can also be uncomfortable and may leave scars.
Some patients, especially older adults or people with weakened immune systems, develop many precancerous spots across large areas of their skin. When dozens of lesions appear, repeated surgeries can become difficult and exhausting for patients.
Current treatments for widespread skin lesions are limited. Some medications used to treat cancer affect the entire body and are not targeted specifically to the cancer cells in the skin. Other treatments can be painful or cause strong side effects. Because of these challenges, researchers have been searching for a simpler and more targeted option.
The new cream works in a unique way. It targets a specific enzyme called LSD1. Enzymes are proteins in the body that help control many chemical reactions inside cells. LSD1 normally acts like a brake on certain immune-related signals in skin cells. In other words, it helps keep the immune response in check.
The researchers designed the cream to block this enzyme. By blocking LSD1, the cream effectively removes the “brake” that limits the immune response. Once this brake is lifted, skin cells begin sending signals that call immune cells to the area. These immune cells can then recognize and attack tumor cells.
Dr. Brian C. Capell, a dermatologist and scientist at the University of Pennsylvania and the senior author of the study, explained that the results were exciting because the treatment uses the body’s natural defenses rather than directly attacking the cancer with harsh drugs.
In the study, scientists also explored how the treatment worked at the cellular level. They discovered that certain immune cells known as CD4-positive T cells played a critical role.
When these immune cells were removed in the experiment, the cream could no longer slow down tumor growth. This finding suggests that the treatment works by strengthening communication between skin cells and the immune system.
The researchers also found that blocking a natural signaling process in the body called retinoic acid signaling reversed many of the changes caused by the cream. This helped confirm the pathway through which the treatment stimulates the immune response.
Although the cream is still being studied and is not yet available for patients, the results are promising. The researchers are continuing to refine the formula to make sure it works safely and effectively.
They hope to begin an early-stage clinical trial, known as a Phase I trial, within the next one to two years. These trials will test the treatment in people for the first time.
If future studies confirm its safety and effectiveness, the cream could offer a new option for treating both cancerous and precancerous skin spots. It might be applied directly to affected areas, helping reduce the need for repeated surgeries and preventing some lesions from turning into invasive cancers.
Preventing skin cancer from developing could have a major impact on public health. Researchers estimate that about 58 million Americans live with precancerous skin conditions or very early forms of squamous cell carcinoma. A treatment that could stop these lesions from progressing would help many people avoid more serious disease.
The research team is also exploring whether LSD1 inhibitors could be used in other forms, such as pills or injections. These treatments might strengthen the effects of certain cancer immunotherapies that are already used for advanced skin cancer. These therapies help the immune system recognize and attack tumors, but they currently work for only some patients.
By combining these approaches, scientists hope to create more effective treatments for skin cancer in the future. This new study represents an important step toward that goal and shows how activating the body’s own immune system may help fight cancer in new and innovative ways.
If you care about skin health, please read studies about eating fish linked to higher risk of skin cancer, and Vitamin B3 could help prevent skin cancers.
For more health information, please see recent studies about vegetable oil linked to spread of cancer, and results showing Vitamin D could help treat skin inflammation.
Copyright © 2026 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
