Common Dermatology Clinical Trials
There are many reasons that people choose to participate in a dermatology clinical trial. The most common reasons are the correct diagnosis, improved skin condition, or improved quality of life. However, some patients also participate because they wish to contribute to the body of knowledge or to benefit others with the same condition. The length of time patients remain in a dermatology clinical trial often depends on how much their participation interferes with their daily lives.
Alopecia
After the Academy Awards, the attention on alopecia areata has only grown, thanks partly to the kerfuffle between Will Smith and comedian Chris Rock. The two have hair loss ailments, and while it may not be a laughing matter, alopecia can devastate a person’s self-esteem. Fortunately, there are some promising developments in alopecia areata research. According to Dr. Emma Guttman-Yassky, system chair of dermatology at Mount Sinai, multiple trials are in progress.
One such trial is dupilumab for alopecia areata. This randomized, double-blind study involves 54 subjects with moderate to severe alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease affecting 30 to 100 percent of the scalp. In addition, one-third of the subjects have atopic dermatitis. The study’s authors have outlined a few significant findings so far.
Autoimmune diseases
Immune system disorders, like psoriasis and dermatitis herpetiformis, are often the focus of dermatology clinical trials. This condition is characterized by a blistering skin eruption, usually on the elbows, knees, or buttocks, known as an autoimmune disease. Blisters and light sensitivity are other symptoms. Dermatitis herpetiformis is a chronic inflammatory disease that responds to treatment with gluten-free diets.
Several autoimmune diseases affect young children and young adults. Because young women are more susceptible to these diseases, dermatologists are working to develop new treatments for these conditions. One such treatment is immunosuppression. In the meantime, immunosuppressive drugs are being tested in dermatology clinical trials. In addition to immunosuppressive medications, dermatologists test cures for autoimmune diseases, including diabetes and Crohn’s. You may check out https://vial.com/cro/dermatology/ for more information.
Severe allergic drug reactions to the skin
The diagnosis of drug allergies in dermatology clinical trials is complicated, partly because there are many possible differential diagnoses. The doctor may conduct a physical examination and history of symptoms to rule out other underlying diseases. The doctor may also perform a skin biopsy or a skin punch biopsy on representative lesions, including the different stages of the lesions and clinically normal skin adjacent to the lesions. Treating drug allergies involves supportive care and, in severe cases, additional treatment such as immunosuppressive drugs.
The severity of cutaneous adverse drug reactions depends on the location of the reaction and whether it is localized or systemic. Several characteristics of these reactions help classify the underlying mechanism, determine the likely prognosis, and guide treatment decisions. Severe allergic skin manifestations of drug allergy are usually T-cell-mediated and are generally difficult to detect, as they involve different principles than IgE-mediated reactions. Because they can present with other symptoms, it is often necessary to intervene in treating such skin manifestations of drug allergy.
Psoriasis
In common dermatology clinical trials for psoriatic arthritis, patients are given a score based on the severity of the condition. Patients with psoriasis score higher on the scale. Other efficacy measurements include the severity of disease as measured by laboratory values and global assessments by patients and doctors. This assessment also gauges whether a treatment is safe and effective.
There are several potential treatments in the clinical trial pipeline for psoriasis. The National Psoriasis Foundation lists 11 injectable drugs in phase 2 and 3 trial pipeline, though it does not include biosimilars. Clinical trials for psoriasis have increased in recent years due to a focus on immunotherapy. Since the early 2000s, nearly half a dozen new therapeutic agents have been approved for use in psoriasis.
Atopic dermatitis
The number of atopic dermatitis clinical trials is increasing, and the prevalence in developed countries is leading to an increase in the number of trials. Currently, there are 517 ongoing trials, of which 121 are focused on treatment, and a further 91 are recruiting patients. Most trials are currently in Phase 3, with the highest number of completed studies in the USA and Germany. However, this number can vary significantly depending on the country and subpopulation.
Most studies examining treatments for atopic dermatitis use the same measures to determine efficacy. These measurements are based on the severity of the disease and the underlying factors for its occurrence; among the major parameters in an atopic dermatitis clinical trial are the length of the washout period for topical treatments and the severity of disease by the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score.
