As one of the most common cancers in the United States, skin cancer affects over 3 million individuals each year, or one in five Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association. The need for skin cancer research is growing. In 2019, the global skin cancer treatment market was valued at US$8.19 billion and is projected to reach US$14.55 billion by 2027 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% during this period. Skin cancer is a disease that affects skin cells, and it can primarily be classified as either melanoma or non-melanoma subtypes. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common types of non-melanoma tumors, whereas melanomas are the most lethal form of skin cancer. Major risk factors include sun exposure, genetic mutations, compromised immune system, and radiation overexposure.

Despite how widespread non-melanoma skin cancer is, it is often excluded from the reporting of cancer statistics, suggesting its global and national burden is underestimated. With how many individuals are affected each year in the U.S. alone, there is a wide unmet need for more skin cancer treatments. This has created a valuable opportunity for dermatology sponsors to partner with experienced dermatology and oncology CROs (contract research organizations) to investigate this type of cancer. In this article, we look at the top five CROs to consider for skin cancer research, listed in no particular order.

The Critical Need for Skin Cancer Research

According to the World Health Organization, there were 1.2 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer in 2020. The most lethal form of skin cancer, melanoma, was the 17th most common cancer worldwide in 2020 and is responsible for the majority of all skin cancer-related deaths. However, despite these numbers, skin cancer research lags behind other forms of cancer in terms of funding and public awareness, particularly for rarer forms of melanoma, highlighting the need for more treatment options for these patients. As with many cancers, early detection is crucial for effective treatment, and even for melanomas, the 5-year and 10-year survival rate can be as high as 99% when identified early. With the help of leading CROs and clinical trial sponsors, recent years have seen significant advancements in the treatment of skin cancer, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

Continue reading to discover the top five oncology CROs for skin cancer research!

Top CROs for Skin Cancer Research

Below is a curated selection of five contract research organizations, each distinguished for their expertise in skin cancer research. Presented in no particular order, these organizations have garnered acclaim for their comprehensive understanding and specialized focus on advancing skin cancer treatments.

1. PPD (Part of Thermo Fisher Scientific)

As a subsidiary of Thermo Fisher Scientific, PPD has established itself as a leading CRO over four decades of successful operations within the clinical research industry. Overall, the company’s services span multiple indications, including oncology, and provide services ranging from initial development stages and regulatory consulting to post-approval research and pharmacovigilance. For the treatment of skin cancer, their Oncology & Hematology CRO has backed 34 oncology drug approvals in the US and 25 EMEA approvals over the last five years. PPD has also conducted over 750 cancer clinical trials involving more than 175,000 patients across 90 countries. PPD’s oncology CRO can be relied upon to support skin cancer research with end-to-end oncology capabilities, including next-generation sequencing, real-world data studies, FSP solutions, and laboratory services.

2. Ergomed Oncology CRO

Ergomed is a global mid-sized CRO that stands out in the field of skin cancer research, offering comprehensive solutions for conducting oncology clinical trials of all sizes and complexities across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Approximately 40% of Ergomed’s clinical trials portfolio is dedicated to hematology and oncology, with a significant emphasis on early-phase trials. Overall, the company has conducted over 470 oncology trials and each member of its project management team has more than 15 years of clinical trials experience. In addition to their robust capabilities in oncology clinical trials, Ergomed has been a pioneer in implementing decentralized and virtual studies, which incorporate applied technologies such as wearables, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and the deployment of 5G. They have been implementing technologies and solutions to reach hard-to-find patients even in the most remote locations, which is particularly valuable when studying rarer types of melanoma.

3. TFS HealthScience Oncology CRO

TFS HealthScience CRO is a pioneer within the European Functional Service Provider (FSP) business and now has established a strong presence in more than 40 countries across Europe and North America. For clinical trial sponsors, in general, TFS offers development support for Phase I to IV studies and real-world evidence studies, expert resourcing solutions, and scalable FSP outsourcing solutions. As one of the top CROs for skin cancer research, the TFS Oncology & Hematology business unit makes up almost a third of all studies conducted by the company, covering a broad spectrum of other cancers, as well. This committed oncology CRO has achieved remarkable milestones under the leadership of Bin Pan, including managing nearly 800 sites, conducting over 300 cancer clinical trials with almost 9,000 participating patients, and establishing solution-driven partnerships in more than 20 countries.

The oncology team at TFS is also aware of the widespread burden of squamous cell carcinomas; read about our successful patient engagement strategies to prevent this type of skin cancer on the TFS Intellect Hub here.

4. ICON’s Oncology CRO

ICON is a globally recognized CRO, established with the goal of providing comprehensive clinical research solutions for trial sponsors worldwide, including various regions in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company has also developed a broad range of therapeutic expertise, particularly with skin cancer in the field of oncology and immuno-oncology. Their track record consists of over 380 immuno-oncology clinical trials conducted, experience in all development phases for indications such as leukemia, pancreatic cancer, and solid tumors, and involvement of over 44,500 patients across nearly 18,000 sites worldwide. ICON’s expertise in custom assay development for assessing the efficacy and safety of cancer therapies also presents additional opportunities to further skin cancer research. Clinical trial sponsors can also benefit from this CRO’s ICONIK platform, which provides real-time tracking, thereby ensuring that cancer clinical trials are conducted effectively, and the results are reliable and accurate.

5. Premier Research

Last but not least, Premier Research is another leading mid-sized company that stands out as a top CRO for skin cancer research, with a proven track record and a unique approach to clinical research across 75 countries. In general, their comprehensive range of services span not only clinical trial management but also medical affairs, regulatory affairs, and pharmacovigilance. In terms of skin cancers, the Oncology & Hematology CRO at Premier has extensive experience running global oncology clinical trials for various types of cancer, including melanoma. This expertise has been demonstrated through the completion of 194 projects in the past five years, encompassing multiple rare cancer studies. Their capabilities also extend from small dose-finding studies to large multinational trials, all of which contribute to their credibility in the field.

In conclusion, the wide prevalence of skin cancer and the urgent need for more effective treatments underline the critical role of oncology CROs in advancing skin cancer research. Companies like PPD, Ergomed, TFS HealthScience, ICON, and Premier Research provide extensive expertise and innovative approaches to support the development of such novel therapies. Through their contributions, these CROs are not only helping to meet an urgent medical need, but they are also making a significant impact on improving patient outcomes and advancing the treatment landscape of skin cancer.

Your Skin Cancer Research Partner

TFS HealthScience is a global CRO with an established foothold in oncology and hematology clinical research. Our team of clinical experts supports biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies throughout their entire clinical development journey with oncology clinical trials. Visit our Oncology & Hematology CRO website to learn more about the expertise TFS can offer for your cancer clinical trials, or connect with a TFS representative today!

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