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NCT Number: NCT07273656

Efficacy and Safety of Cryotherapy Followed by Tirbanibulin Ointment for Actinic Keratosis on the Scalp and Forehead

The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a combined approach of cryotherapy and tirbanibulin for the treatment of actinic keratosis of the scalp and forehead, repeated every 4 months. A higher rate of complete response is expected with this combination compared to cryotherapy alone, as well as a better response with repeated treatment cycles.

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Key information

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 3

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Subject over 18 years old presenting with ≥ 8 typical actinic keratoses (AK), clinically visible or palpable, grade I or II, with at least 4 AK per hemiscalp,
  • Participants who, in the investigator's judgment, are in good general condition (ECOG ≤ 2),
  • The AK must be distributed in 2 non-overlapping areas, and of similar grades,
  • Patient capable of understanding and adhering to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements,
  • Patient capable of understanding and voluntarily signing informed consent,
  • Patient covered by social insurance,
  • Patient willing to comply with all study procedures and duration,
  • Women of childbearing potential must:

Have a negative pregnancy test at screening and during the treatment period,

Use an effective contraceptive method throughout the study participation. Menopausal women (absence of menstruation for at least one year without other medical cause) or surgically sterile women (tubal ligation, hysterectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy) may be enrolled.

Exclusion criteria

  • Clinically atypical and/or rapidly evolving actinic keratoses (AK) in the treatment area, and grade 3 AK according to Olsen classification,
  • A defined treatment area that would be:
  • Located somewhere other than the scalp and/or forehead,
  • Within 5 cm of a wound that is not fully healed or a lesion suspicious for carcinoma,
  • Prior treatment with tirbanibulin,
  • Treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), imiquimod, ingenol mebutate, diclofenac, photodynamic therapy, or other treatments for actinic keratoses in the treatment area or within 2 cm around this area within 6 weeks prior to the screening visit,
  • Use of the following therapies within 2 weeks prior to the screening visit:
  • Therapeutic or cosmetic procedures (e.g., liquid nitrogen application, surgical excision, dermabrasion, medium or deep chemical peeling, laser resurfacing) in the treatment area or within 2 cm around the selected treatment area,
  • Therapeutic products containing acids (e.g., salicylic acid, fruit acids), topical retinoids, or light peels in the treatment area or within 2 cm around the selected treatment area,
  • Allergy to tirbanibulin or any of its components.
  • Any condition causing a risk of poor compliance,
  • Administrative reasons: inability to receive informed information, inability to participate in the entire study, lack of social security coverage, refusal to sign the consent form,
  • Women of childbearing potential who refuse to use an effective contraceptive method,
  • Pregnant women, women planning to become pregnant, and breastfeeding women,
  • Persons deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision.

Treatment and study plan

Cryotherapy + Tirbanibulin

Drug

Tirbanibulin ointment applied once daily for 5 days, repeated 3 times (every 4 months)

Other names: Cryotherapy + placebo

Primary outcomes

  1. Complete clearance of actinic keratosis

    Time frame: 8 months

    Complete clearance rate of actinic keratoses at 8 months. A complete response corresponds to the absence of clinically detectable actinic keratosis in the treated area.

Secondary outcomes

  1. To determine the 12-month effectiveness of a combined approach using cryotherapy and tirbanibulin.

    Time frame: 12 months

    Complete Clearance of Actinic Keratosis at 12 months. A complete response corresponds to the absence of clinically detectable actinic keratosis in the treated area.

  2. To evaluate the reduction in the number of actinic keratoses after 2 treatment cycles.

    Time frame: 8 months

    Partial clearance rate (75% reduction in the number of actinic keratoses) at 8 months.

  3. To evaluate the reduction in the number of actinic keratoses after 3 treatment cycles.

    Time frame: 12 months

    Partial clearance rate (75% reduction in the number of actinic keratoses) at 12 months.

  4. To evaluate the reduction in the need for cryotherapy with tirbanibulin.

    Time frame: 12 months

    Number of cryotherapy sessions performed over the entire follow-up period.

  5. To describe the safety and tolerability by treated side at each follow-up visit.

    Time frame: 12 months

    Safety: Local skin reactions assessed throughout the study

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Lille

Other

Collaborators

  • Almirall, SAS

Registry information

Acronym: TIRBACRYO

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Dec 9, 2025
Registry last updated
May 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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