An Early Phase 1 interventional study of sirolimus topical gel 0.2% in Epidermal Nevi, sponsored by Northwestern University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 6 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-09.
Sponsored by Northwestern University · Early Phase 1, Interventional, and Treatment
We hypothesize that topical sirolimus could suppress the mTOR activation of linear verrucous epidermal nevi, particularly when the variants are involving genes upstream of mTOR and perhaps even those of the RAS pathway through crosstalk and downstream signaling. Indeed, a recent study noted a few cases of epidermal nevi that were improved within 3-4 months by the use of topical sirolimus. We propose to perform a pilot study of epidermal nevi to observe the impact of treatment twice daily of epidermal nevi with serial photography and scoring to capture alterations during the 3 months of the study. We will also grade local tolerance to the topical gel.
Epidermal nevi are skin growths that develop because of a genetic change that occurs after conception, meaning only some skin cells are affected. These growths appear as thickened, often darker areas of skin that form lines or swirls. On the arms and legs, they usually appear as straight streaks, while on the trunk and face they follow curved patterns called the lines of Blaschko, which reflect how skin cells develop before birth.
These skin changes are caused by specific genetic changes that turn on certain cell growth pathways inside skin cells. Most linear verrucous epidermal nevi involve one of two major pathways that control cell growth: the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway or the RAS/MAPK pathway. In more than 40% of cases, changes in the FGFR3 or PIK3CA genes cause constant activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, leading to excess skin growth.
Sirolimus (also called rapamycin) is a medication that blocks the mTOR pathway, slowing down cell growth and protein production. Medications like this are already used to treat certain cancers caused by overactive mTOR signaling.
Topical sirolimus is FDA-approved as a 0.2% gel (Hyftor) to treat facial angiofibromas in people with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). In TSC, genetic changes cause the mTOR pathway to be overly active, leading to skin growths called angiofibromas. Studies have shown that applying sirolimus to the skin can reduce the size and visibility of these lesions.
Northwestern University is the lead sponsor of 1,423 studies on the registry; 198 are open to participants now.
Of its 105 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 78 (74%) have results posted.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Corticosteroids (steroids)
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone — not the anabolic steroids used for muscle.
Studies differ in what they allow: check which steroid medicines, routes (tablets, injections, creams, inhalers, eye drops) and doses this study accepts.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Drug: sirolimus topical gel 0.2%
Topical sirolimus will be applied twice daily to the nevi with a maximum daily dose of 600 mg for patients 6-11 years of age and 800 mg for patients 12 years and older.
Also known as: Hyftor
Improvement of nevi flattening and normalization of skin color
The extent of nevi improvement will be scored at baseline and week 12 from standardized photographs by two independent asessors with an adjudicator (if needed). The score will be defined as follows: 0 = 100% improvement 1. = 90-99% improvement 2. = 69-89% improvement 3. = 50-69% improvement 4. = 30-49% improvement 5. = 10-29% improvement 6. = 0-9% improvement 7. = worsening
Time frame: 12 weeks
Satisfaction scores of treatment
Patients (and parents/LAR) will be asked for their satisfaction of the treatment (not satisfied, satisfied, very satisfied) at week 12
Time frame: 12 weeks
Patient-reported improvement of lesion
Patients (and parents/LAR) will be asked their self-evaluation of lesion improvment from 0-5 (0= cleared, 1= almost cleared, 2= good improvement, 3= slight improvement, 4= no change, 5= worse) at baseline and week 12
Time frame: 12 weeks
Reduction in peak itch score
At least 2-point reduction in peak itch NRS score (on a scale of 0-10, 0=no itch and 10=worse itch) from baseline to week 12
Time frame: 12 weeks
Plan to share: No
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Feb 2027; primary completion for Jan 2029, 23 months later.
Since we started tracking on Sep 25, 2026, the dates moved once, on Nov 9, 2026: start Oct 2026 → Feb 2027, primary completion Sep 2028 → Jan 2029 and completion Dec 2028 → Apr 2029.
Earlier changes are on the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Nov 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Studies of the drug tested here: Sirolimus
Nevus, Sebaceous of Jadassohn