Stanford University School of Medicine's Center for Advanced Dermatologic Investigation is the Dermatology Department's clinical trials unit. 

Directed by Anne Chang, MD., the Center is home to 12-15 ongoing clinical studies, investigating the safety and efficacy of new and currently available drugs and over-the-counter medications.  The Center works with Stanford's own panel on medical research, leading pharmaceutical companies,and the Food and Drug Administration to safely and ethically expand the medical field's knowledge of dermatologic treatments.  New studies begin regularly, and the Center continues to recruit patients with skin aging, sun damage, skin cancer (including basal cell carcinomas), psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and other dermatologic diseases for ongoing studies. 

We seek to understand the human aging processes as it relates to skin on a fundamental level. To this end, our studies focus on clinical and translational research efforts ranging from: (1) the analysis of gene changes which predispose individuals to exceptionally youthful skin to (2) molecular signatures that may be biomarkers for aging skin to (3) the careful study of new candidate agents which might affect the skin aging process.

Recent advances in our understanding of basal cell skin cancer biology have enabled the development of cutting edge study drugs which combat tumor growth. We are currently home to a number of clinical trials at the forefront of potential therapy for advanced or metastatic basal cell cancer. In addition, we seek to understand the biology of basal cell skin cancers and to identify molecular predictors for treatment success.

This is a common and frustrating chronic inflammatory condition of the face, usually affecting older individuals. The causes of this complex condition are the subject of much study. Our clinical studies seek to identify new topical or oral medications to improve the symptoms of acne rosacea.

For more information, please email dermtrials@stanford.edu