Photodynamic Therapy for Papulopustular Rosacea



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Cosmetic, Cosmetic
Therapuetic Areas:Dermatology / Plastic Surgery
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 79
Updated:8/26/2018
Start Date:April 2014
End Date:February 2019
Contact:Kamaria Nelson, MD
Email:knelson@mfa.gwu.edu
Phone:202-741-2632

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Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is characterized by severe flushing
(transient erythema), non-transient erythema, papules, pustules, and telangiectasia. Topical
therapy is not always effective in treating symptoms of rosacea. Furthermore, rapid
recurrence is common following the use of systemic antibiotics, resulting in the chronic use
of these medications to control the disease. Although the exact pathogenesis of rosacea is
unknown, treatment for this condition has been investigated based on its similarity to acne
and photodamaged skin. Case reports have shown promising results in rosacea patients treated
with methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL - PDT). Other than a case report which
observed significant improvement of papules, pustules, erythema, and flushing following 5 -
aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) treatment of a patient with rosacea, the
role of ALA-PDT in the treatment of rosacea has not been reported.

We have designed a pilot study investigating the efficacy of ALA-PDT in treating
papulopustular rosacea. The objectives of the study are as follows:

Primary objective:

1. To evaluate improvement of the inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules, nodules),
erythema, and telangiectasia of rosacea as assessed by the Investigator's Global
Assessment (IGA).

2. To evaluate improvement of the inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules, nodules) of
rosacea as assessed by the Inflammatory Lesion Investigator's Global Assessment (ILIGA).

Secondary objectives:

3. To evaluate improvement of rosacea associated erythema as assessed by the Clinical
Erythema Assessment (CEA) scale.

4. To evaluate improvement of the inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules, nodules) of
rosacea as measured by a difference in inflammatory lesion count.

5. To evaluate improvement of rosacea as assessed by the Patient Overall Assessment Scale.


Inclusion Criteria:

1. Ages 18-79 years

2. Clinical diagnosis of papulopustular rosacea based on physician evaluation. Only
patients with 3-50 papules and/or pustules, and a CEA total score ≥ 5, (See Section
4.1.3) will be enrolled.

3. History of failing at least one conventional treatment for rosacea (metronidazole,
sodium sulfacetamide, tetracycline, azelaic acid) or not interested in continuous
treatment with these agents.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. < 18 or > 79 years of age

2. Allergy to 5 - aminolevulinic acid (ALA) or any component of the vehicle

3. Use of topical acne or rosacea treatments (on the face) within 2 weeks prior to Visit
1

4. Use of systemic antibiotics within 1 month prior to Visit 1

5. Use of topical retinoids (on the face) within 1 month prior to Visit 1

6. Use of systemic retinoids, including isotretinoin, within 6 months prior to Visit 1.

7. Use of laser or light based rosacea treatments (on the face) within 1 month prior to
Visit 1

8. Cosmetic procedures (e.g., superficial chemical peels, exfoliation or
microdermabrasion of the face) within 2 months prior to Visit 1

9. Use of topical corticosteroids (on the face) 1 month prior to Visit 1

10. Use of systemic corticosteroids 3 months prior to Visit 1

11. Known or suspected history of drug or alcohol abuse within the past 6 months as
determined by the medical record or patient interview

12. History of adverse reaction to light exposure

13. History of disorder of porphyrin metabolism

14. Scarring or infection in the area being treated

15. Extensive facial hair that would either impair blue light exposure or interfere with
lesion evaluation

16. Inability to make study visits or anticipated poor compliance

17. Pregnant females or nursing mothers. Eligible women of reproductive age will be
required to have a negative urine pregnancy test at screening. They will also be
required to be on at least one reliable form of effective birth control [examples:
barrier method (condoms, diaphragm), oral, injectable, implant birth control or
abstinence] during the course of this study and 30 days following the last treatment
period.

18. Life threatening illness that would interfere with the patient's ability to complete
the study

19. Participation in another clinical experimental therapeutic study within 30 days of
screening visit

20. Any history or evidence of severe illness or any other condition that would make the
patient, in the opinion of the investigator, unsuitable for the study.
We found this trial at
1
site
Washington, District of Columbia 20037
Principal Investigator: Alison Ehrlich, MD, MHS
Phone: 202-677-6160
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Washington,
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