A clinical trial at Alfred Health is providing new hope for patients suffering from severe eczema while pioneering a teletrial model that makes advanced treatments accessible to those living in regional areas.
The international study, currently running across Australia, the US, and Canada, is testing a promising new treatment for moderate to severe eczema. What makes this trial particularly groundbreaking is its implementation through a teletrial model, allowing patients to receive most of their care at local hospitals with only occasional visits to metropolitan centers.
Breaking Down Barriers to Clinical Trial Access
Latrobe Regional Health (LRH) in Gippsland has become one of the first non-metropolitan hospitals in the world to participate in this dermatology trial. The teletrial approach enables hospitals and healthcare providers to work collaboratively as a unified team, delivering the same clinical protocol across multiple locations.
Professor Johannes Kern, Director of Dermatology at The Alfred and trial lead, emphasized the importance of equitable access to clinical trials.
"Working in partnership with local health services and removing the distance barrier is a crucial first step in delivering equitable access to care," Prof Kern said. "We know that sometimes it's actually impossible for patients to take time off work or their caring responsibilities, make the day-long trip into the city, get to the hospital and sit through their appointment, and then make it all the way back again, particularly if they're not well."
Life-Changing Results for Patients
For David, the trial's first teletrial participant from Gippsland, the treatment has been transformative. Before joining the trial, he suffered from severe eczema covering nearly 90% of his body, describing the sensation as feeling "severely sunburnt" with constant pain, itching, and weeping.
"Over the years I had tried everything – creams, medications, diets, bleach baths – you name it," said David, who works part-time at a regional hospital. "Up until a few years ago it would come and go, but more recently it became constant and unrelenting."
When stronger steroids stopped working for David, he feared he had exhausted all treatment options. His timely referral to the clinical trial came at a critical moment.
After a year of treatment, David has experienced remarkable improvement. "Now my flare-ups are few and far between and they resolve so much quicker with only a topical cream. The difference is significant, and to know I'm not reliant on steroid medication anymore is a relief."
The Teletrial Model: How It Works
The teletrial model, supported by TrialHub, requires patients to travel to Melbourne only twice yearly, with monthly visits conducted at their local hospital. This approach significantly reduces the mental, physical, and financial burden on regional patients who would otherwise need to make frequent long journeys to metropolitan centers.
Dr. Jhodie Duncan, LRH General Manager of Research and Partnerships, highlighted the benefits of this collaborative approach: "This is a relatively new model for us in Victoria, but we hope to embed it into our practice as it enhances our ability to provide better care for regional patients. Teletrials gives us an opportunity to run clinical trials that we may not have the capacity to run on our own."
Addressing an Unmet Medical Need
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic, lifelong condition that can severely impact quality of life. Despite existing treatment options, many patients with moderate-to-severe eczema continue to suffer without adequate relief.
"This is a chronic, life-long disease that can significantly impact a person's quality of life. Despite available treatment options, not all patients with moderate-to-severe eczema respond sufficiently to current treatments, and many continue to suffer," explained Prof Kern.
The trial represents a significant milestone not only for patients in Gippsland but demonstrates what is now possible for other regional patients across Australia who previously had limited access to cutting-edge clinical research.
Beyond Treatment: Educational Benefits
For participants like David, the benefits extend beyond the physical improvements. "Being on a trial has been the most illuminating process, and I'd recommend it to anyone," he said. "Besides learning about the condition and the medication, I've learned so much about the process - why and how data is collected, where it all goes, and what difference that information can make to future treatment for other people as well."
Expanding Clinical Trial Access
Since 2020, LRH has been part of the TrialHub program, a federal government-funded pilot based at Alfred Hospital that supports regional and rural hospitals in establishing their own independent clinical trial units.
Alfred Health is currently operating over 700 clinical trials with almost 7,000 participants across various medical specialties, including cardiology, mental health, sexual health, oncology, and neurology. The success of this dermatology teletrial opens the door for similar models to be implemented across other therapeutic areas, potentially revolutionizing clinical trial access for regional patients throughout Australia.
