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Paired Psoriasis Lesion, Comparative, Study to Evaluate MOL4239 in Psoriasis

Phase 2
Completed
Conditions
Psoriasis
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT01826201
Lead Sponsor
Moleculin, LLC
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether MOL4239 is effective in adult subjects with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis by comparing two target lesions in which each subject will apply MOL4239 ointment to one target lesion and placebo ointment to the contralateral target lesion twice a day for 28.5 consecutive days.

Detailed Description

This is a phase 2a, Randomized, Multi-center, Blinded, Paired Psoriasis Lesion, Comparative Placebo-Controlled study to evaluate the safety, preliminary efficacy and pharmacokinetics of MOL4239 in 30 adult subjects with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis. Eligible subject will have a diagnosis of mild to moderate plaque psoriasis affecting 9.9% body surface area (BSA) or less, and two designated similar target lesions with a Psoriasis Severity Score of at least 6 or higher. Each subject will apply 10% MOL4239 ointment to one target lesion and placebo ointment to the contralateral target lesion twice a day for 28.5 consecutive days.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
21
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adults, males or females, 18 to 72 years of age (both inclusive.)
  • Mild to moderate plaque psoriasis with lesions that in total are no more than 9.9% BSA and with a baseline Psoriasis Severity Score (PSS) of 6 or more.
  • Identification of bilaterally symmetrical or approximately equivalent target lesions of at least 2.5 x 2.5 cm (~6 cm2) on the trunk, arms or legs to mid calf with a Psoriasis Severity Score (PSS) of 6 or greater.
  • Willing to avoid tanning devices or exposure of the treated skin to the sun.
  • Willing to not use cosmetics, including lotions, creams, and moisturizers on the treated lesions.
  • Use of Eucerin® is allowed on all non-test site areas.
  • Willing to forgo systemic and other topical treatments for psoriasis during the course of the study.
  • Willing to avoid bathing or swimming for two hours after study drug treatment.
  • Negative urine pregnancy test at Screening and baseline for women of childbearing potential (WOCP).
  • Sexually active WOCP participating in the study must agree to use a medically acceptable method of contraception while on study.
  • Must have recovered from the effects of any surgery, other than minor office surgical procedures, and a minimum of 3 months must have elapsed from the day of surgery to the day of screening.
Exclusion Criteria
  • Presence of significant abnormalities of liver or renal functions.
  • Presence of any clinically significant lab abnormalities at screening.
  • Any significant uncontrolled medical disease.
  • Use of the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) biologic agents 4 months prior to randomization or use of Stelara 6 months prior to randomization.
  • Use, within one month prior to baseline or during the study, of: 1) systemic immunosuppressive drugs (e.g., tacrolimus), or 2) oral meds (e.g. methotrexate, retinoids, etc.).
  • Use within one month prior to baseline or during the study of: 1) Systemic corticosteroids, 2) Systemic antibiotics, 3) other systemic antipsoriatic treatment, 4) oral psoralen with ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy, or 5) ultraviolet B (UVB) therapy.
  • Use within two weeks prior to baseline or during the study of: 1) topical anti-psoriatic drugs, 2) topical corticosteroids, 3) other topical retinoids, or 4) topical immunosuppressive agents.
  • Current diagnosis of unstable forms of psoriasis in the treatment area, including guttate, erythrodermic, exfoliative or pustular psoriasis.
  • Other inflammatory skin disease in the treatment area that may confound the evaluation of the psoriasis vulgaris.
  • Females who are pregnant, breast feeding, or planning a pregnancy.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
10% MOL4239 ointment & placebo ointmentPlacebo10% MOL4239 ointment to one target lesion and placebo ointment to the contralateral target lesion twice a day for 28.5 consecutive days
10% MOL4239 ointment & placebo ointmentMOL423910% MOL4239 ointment to one target lesion and placebo ointment to the contralateral target lesion twice a day for 28.5 consecutive days
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean Change From Baseline to Day 28 in PSS (Psoriasis Severity Score) of the Treatment Target Lesions Compared to Placebo Target LesionsBaseline and Day 28

he study drug application sites were scored for erythema, induration, and scale assessment using the PSS Scoring system. Psoriasis Severity Score (PSS) Erythema 0 - 4, 0 None, may have residual non-erythematous discoloration

1 Faint erythema 2 Moderate erythema/red color 3 Severe erythema/very red discoloration 4 Very severe erythema/extreme red coloration Induration 0 - 4 0 None

1. Trace or slight elevation of plaque above normal skin level

2. Moderate elevation with rounded or sloped edges to plaque

3. Marked elevation with hard, sharp edges to plaque

4. Very marked elevation with very hard, sharp edges to plaque Scaling 0 - 4

0 None

1. Fine scales

2. Coarse scales

3. Thick scales with a rough surface

4. Thick scales with a very rough surface

The scores were summed

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Treatment SuccessBaseline and Day 28

Percent of patients achieving treatment success in the treatment group compared to the placebo group on day 28. Treatment success is defined as patient achieving a psoriasis severity score (PSS) of 3 or less, or an improvement of 5 points or more on the PSS.

Safety AssessmentBaseline and Day 28

Safety will be assessed based on reported adverse events, physical examination, vital signs, electrocardiograms, hematology, serum chemistry and urinalysis. Adverse events will be reported throughout the trial. Vital signs will be performed at screening, baseline, prior to the morning dose on Days 0, 1, 7, 14, 28, and at the follow up visit on Day 42. Physical examinations will be performed at Screening, baseline and Day 28. Hematology, serum chemistry and urinalysis will be performed at screening, baseline, Days 1, 7, 14, 28, and at the follow up visit on Day 42. ECGs will be performed at Screening, baseline and Day 28.

Improvement in Lesion AppearanceBaseline and Day 28

Photography of the MOL4239 and placebo treated lesions will be performed at baseline, Day 7, Day 14 and Day 28 to assess for the improvement in lesion appearance after drug treatment. The assessment will be completed by a blinded panel of dermatologists experienced in the assessment of psoriasis.

Physician's Treatment PreferenceDay 7, Day 14, Day 28

The physician's treatment preference utilizing visual assessment and selection of the most improved plaque. The determination will be either 1)right lesion is preferred compared to left, 2)left lesion is preferred compared to right, 3) no difference between the right and left lesion.

Change in EIS AreaBaseline and Day 28

Change in Erythema, Induration and Scale (EIS) area. Total score will be the EIS x Area, and will be calculated at baseline, Day 7, Day 14 and Day 28. The EIS will represent the sum of individual scores of Erythema, Induration and Scale using the same scale utilized in the PSS. The area of active erythema, induration and scale will be measured and the total scores will be calculated from the EIS scores multiplied by the area in cm2.

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

International Dermatology Research, Inc.

🇺🇸

Miami, Florida, United States

Minnesota Clinical Study Center

🇺🇸

Fridley, Minnesota, United States

Academic Dermatology Associates

🇺🇸

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

International Dermatology Research, Inc.
🇺🇸Miami, Florida, United States

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