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Clinical Research

Dermatology Clinical Trials and Studies

Our department conducts clinical trials and participates in registries in these areas:

Skin Cancer & Prevention

  • Incidence and Mortality of Melanoma and access to care in Nebraska.
  • The efficiency of a multi-modal approach to sun-safety in skin cancer patients.
  • Integration of patient, satisfaction, functional status and quality of life in determining appropriateness of skin cancer treatment in advanced age and high-risk patients.
  • The Reveal Imager as an Intervention to Improve Sun-safety Behaviors
  • Virtual Reality in Dermatologic Surgery
  • Satisfaction of closing defects after facial skin cancer resection (SCAR) study
  • The efficacy of an education e-module on patient understanding of melanoma prevention and early detection
  • Postoperative complications, nasal function, and quality of life following interpolated flap repair for post-Mohs surgical defects of the nose: a multi-center prospective observational cohort study

Translational Squamous Cell Carcinoma & Personalized High-Risk Skin Cancer Care

  • Cancer-associated genetic mutations and patterns of the tumor microenvironment in skin cancer
  • Development and validation of a gene expression assay to predict the risk of recurrent disease in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
  • IHC and high-risk squamous cell carcinoma
  • Role of immunosupression in staging and gene expression of high-risk SCC
Transplant Dermatology
  • UV dosimetry and reducation of sun exposure in transplant and other high-risk patients
Infectious Disease Dermatology
  • HIV and skin cancer
Global Health Security and Dermatology
  • Clinical Characterization Protocol for Severe Emerging Infections (COVID-19)
  • The role of COVID-19 in cardiovascular disease & skin
  • Autoimmune Skin Diseases
Teledermatology & Rural Dermatology/Access to Care 
  • Teledermatology and increasing access to care in agricultural populations

Other
  • Quality of Life and Venolymphatic Disease: A prospective study
  • Analysis of the impact of dermatology on patient care at an academic hospital
  • A survey to assess the gender gap in academic medicine

Registries

Dermatology Patient Data Registry
The purpose is to collect retrospective and prospective demographic, clinical (including photographs), survey data, pathology, management and outcome data relevant to numerous skin cancers, tumors and dermatologic diseases of interest. We will assess where there are gaps in access to care and teledermatology and current knowledge surrounding presentation, prognosis, management and outcomes. We will have separate sections for the various types of skin cancer, tumors and dermatologic diagnoses.
UNMC Dermatology Tissue Bank
We developed a UNMC Dermatology Tissue and Blood Bank which aims to collect excess tissue and extra blood from patients with dermatologic diseases at UNMC for the purpose of future genetic, cellular, molecular and clinical database studies. The goal of this project is to develop a cohort of samples that is representative of all Dermatology patients.
Integrated Cancer Repository for Cancer Research: The iCaRe2

The Integrated Cancer Respository for Cancer Research is a multi-institutional resource created and maintained by the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center to collect and manage standardized, multidimensional, longitudinal data and biospecimens on consented adult cancer patients, high-risk individuals, and normal controls.  UNMC Dermatology is involved in iCaRe2 for melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, merkel cell carcinoma and other rare cutaneous tumors.

For information about studies, email the Research Office or call 402-559-3825.

Studies Currently Enrolling

The efficacy of a multi-modal approach to sun-safety in skin cancer patients 

To study how an interactive educational module and UV light tracker will influence sun safety knowledge and behavior. This knowledge will allow us to educate high-risk populations on how to minimize skin cancer risk. 

To be eligible for this study, individuals must: 

  • Be 19 years or older and willing to participate.
  • Have access to iPhone 7 or newer and the internet .

Teledermatology and increasing access to care in agricultural populations. 

To study skin disease in agricultural populations. Currently enrolling patients in the Nebraska communities of Blue Hill, and Beatrice, and starting soon in Norfolk.

To be eligible for this study, individuals must: 

  • Work in agriculture or participate in agriculturally-related activities 
  • Have a dermatologic condition  
  • Be 19 years or older  

Quality of Life and Venolymphatic Disease: A prospective study 

To assess physical implications of chronic vascular disease on quality of life with the goal of validating the experiences of the patient and the efficacy of endovenous laser ablation and endovenous chemical ablation for this highly morbid disease. 

To be eligible for this study, individuals must: 

  • Have chronic vascular disease  
  • Be 19 years or older  
  •  Be able to provide informed consent 

Dermatology Tissue Bank 

The bank collects tissue and/or blood from patients with dermatologic conditions for the purpose of future genetic, cellular, molecular and clinical database studies 

To be eligible for this study, individuals must: 

  • Have a dermatologic condition and be having a biopsy and/or blood drawn   
  • Be 19 years or older  
  • Be able to provide informed consent 

Dermatology Patient Data Registry 

This registry extracts and organizes information relevant to the presentation, course, management, and outcomes of patients with skin cancer, infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune, and rheumatologic conditions in addition to those patients seen on the inpatient and teledermatology consult service 

To be eligible for this study, individuals must: 

  • Be seen at a clinic or outreach site associated with the UNMC Department of Dermatology.
  • Be 19 years or older and willing to participate