Artificial Intelligence Patient App for RDEB SCCs

January 30, 2026 updated by: Amy Paller, Northwestern University

Developing a Novel Artificial Intelligence Patient App to Recognize Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCCs) in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB): Image Collection

In this study, an artificial intelligence model to detect squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) on photos of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) skin is developed. The ultimate goal is to integrate this model into an app for patients and physicians, to help detect SCCs in RDEB early.

SCCs which rapidly metastasize are the main cause of death in adults with RDEB. The earlier an SCC is recognized, the easier it can be removed and the better the outcome. AI leverages computer science to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence and has recently been used to identify skin cancers based on images. We are currently developing an AI approach for early detection of SCC and distinction of malignancy from chronic wounds and other RDEB skin findings. The aim is to create a web application for patients with RDEB to upload images of their skin and get an output as to SCC present/ no SCC. This will be especially valuable for patients with difficult access to medical expertise and those who are hesitant to allow full skin examination at each visit, often because of fear of biopsies. Thus, this project will directly benefit patients by allowing early recognition of SCCs and will empower patients and their families by providing a home use tool.

So far, the study team has mainly used professional images (photographs taken in hospital settings by physicians, nurses, and clinical photographers) of both SCCs in RDEB and images of RDEB skin without SCC to develop and train the AI model. The images that are expected in a real-life setting will mostly be pictures taken by patients or family members with their phones or digital cameras. These images have different properties regarding resolution, focus, lighting, and backgrounds. Incorporating such images will be crucial in the upcoming phases of model development-testing and validation-for the web application be a success for patients.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This project will enroll adolescents and adults with RDEB and history of at least one SCC. The survey and consents will be provided in English, Spanish, German, French, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. The study team is inviting people with RDEB around the world to participate and are hoping that approximately 100 people will provide images.

Participants will be asked to complete the survey and upload photographs of SCC(s) using the links below. Depending on the number of SCCs they have had and the number of photos they want to provide, the survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

To participate in this study, please follow this link:

https://redcap.nubic.northwestern.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=JH9LHR4CC4R4H3HN

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

20

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Illinois
      • Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60611
        • Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Lurie Children's Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with RDEB worldwide are invited to participate in this virtual research to contribute photographs of their SCCs.

To participate in this study, please follow this link: https://redcap.nubic.northwestern.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=JH9LHR4CC4R4H3HN

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • patient with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa
  • patient with history of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
  • patient consent for upload and use of clinical data and photographs

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients who do not agree to upload and use of photographs and clinical data

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Percent agreement of the presence or absence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the skin in photographs as detected by the App versus confirmed physician diagnosis
Time Frame: one day survey
one day survey

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Northwestern University

Collaborators

Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Partnership

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 30, 2023

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 30, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 30, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 24, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 3, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

May 6, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 3, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 30, 2026

Last Verified

January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2023-5810

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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