Hydrogen Peroxide Trial to Investigate the Efficacy of 30%H2O2 as a Topical Application Before Definitive Treatment

Previous work suggests that topical treatment with 33% hydrogen peroxide can reduce lesion size and, in about half of patients, can cause complete pathologic response. For patients with reduction in lesions size, the required size of the surgical excision or radiation field will be similarly decreased, thus potentially limiting associated morbidity and better cosmetic outcomes. Additionally, patients that experience a complete pathological response will be able to avoid additional treatment with either surgery or radiation. This will benefit both patients as well as helping to decreased use of health care resources. For the current study we will be using 30% hydrogen peroxide as it is commercially available. If this study shows positive results, it could lead to significant benefit on both a patient and systems level. Locally, our cancer Centre treats approximately 700 new patients per year who fit into the study criteria and could potentially benefit from this novel neoadjuvant treatment that is fairly inexpensive.