Clinical Research Trials

Would you like to participate in a clinical research trial?

A clinical trial is a research study in human volunteers used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are safe and effective. Clinical testing is preceded by extensive laboratory research, and is normally done in three phases. Participants can help themselves and others by contributing to medical research and advancing the development of better treatments. The potential benefits and risks should be weighed carefully before entering a clinical trial. Explore the resources below to learn more.

Where to find clinical trials

The following information is presented as a service to those who might be interested in participating in clinical research trials studying atopic dermatitis/eczema. The National Eczema Association (NEA) posts research notices as an informational service only. Such postings do not represent a NEA endorsement of these studies, but serves to make you aware that this clinical study is available for your participation if you choose. If you are presently under the care of a physician for atopic dermatitis/eczema, or other conditions, you should discuss this study with your doctor before altering your treatment program.

Postdate: February 28, 2013

Randomized Pilot Study of Ustekinumab for Subjects with Chronic Atopic Dermatitis Who Have Sub-optimal Response to Prior Therapy

Purpose

We are carrying out a clinical trial with the drug Stelara (ustekinumab), which is already FDA approved for Psoriasis, in patients with moderate to severe eczema, ages 18 years - 75 years.  In order to be eligible, a patient must have failed at least topical steroids and either light therapy or oral steroids. Patients will have 15 visits over the course of a year at Rockefeller University, which is located on the Upper East Side of New York City. Patients are guaranteed to receive 3 doses of Stelara throughout the study. Patients will also be allowed to use Triamcinolone 0.025% during the course of the study.  If the medication is effective at clearing a patients eczema, they will be eligible to receive an extra dose at the completion of the study.  For full participation, patients are compensated $600.

Name/Title of the Principal Investigator: Dr. Emma Guttman, MD/PhD

Postdate: December 20, 2012

Purpose

Background:

- Allergic inflammation is central to allergy-related diseases and disorders, such as asthma, food allergies, and atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis, commonly called eczema is a chronic, noncontagious skin condition, usually starting in the first years of life, which causes itching and scaling of an individual's skin. Because atopic dermatitis is a common condition in children who have allergy-related diseases, including asthma, researchers are interested in studying both individuals with atopic dermatitis and their close relatives (parents and children) to better understand how allergy-related diseases develop and progress. In addition, some patients with inherited disorders with features including atopic dermatitis or other aspects of allergy-such as food allergy, asthma, hay fever, hives, and others, will also be seen.

• Children and adolescents between 1 month and 21 years of age who have a documented history of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.
• Individuals between 1 month and 80 years of age who have a suspected genetic or inherited allergy disorder related to atopic dermatitis or allergic pathways.
• Child and adult relatives of eligible participants will also be studied on this protocol.

Design:

• The study will require one initial visit to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (lasting 1-5 days), as well as any required follow-up visits for treatment  and research studies. Participants will receive treatment for atopic dermatitis and other allergic diseases as part of the study for up to 1 year.
• Participants will have some or all of the following tests as part of this study:
• A detailed physical examination and medical history
• Allergy skin prick testing to examine participants' responses to different allergens.
• Blood samples for additional allergen testing, testing the immune system, and other research purposes
• Skin punch biopsy to take a skin sample
• Lung function tests to measure airflow from the lungs and inflammation
• Food-related tests to diagnose potential food allergies
• Leukapheresis to collect white blood cells only
• Research samples, including stool specimens, saliva samples, buccal swabs (to collect cells from the inside of the cheek), and skin cell samples
• Clinical digital photography to provide images of affected and healthy skin.
• Participants will be asked to return for follow-up visits and tests for up to 1 year after the initial visit(s).

Condition

Locations

Postdate: October 17, 2012

NIH-Supported Clinical Trial of Novel Staphylococcal Antibiotic Begins

WHAT:
Scientists have launched an early-stage clinical trial of a novel topical antimicrobial compound known as XF-73 that has shown promise for eliminating Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the nose, a therapeutic approach that reduces the risk of staph infections. The study is being sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, and is taking place at the NIAID Phase I Clinical Trials Unit at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

S. aureus is the most common hospital-acquired infection in the United States. According to a recent analysis, nearly 300,000 hospitalized patients suffer an S. aureus infection every year in the United States, costing an estimated $9.5 billion in medical expenses. A growing number of S. aureus strains, such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus, are becoming resistant to the most commonly used antibiotics. Compared with existing antibiotics, XF-73 has a novel structure and mechanism of action, kills S. aureus bacteria rapidly and does not appear to generate resistance through genetic mutation. It is administered nasally.

XF-73 was developed by Destiny Pharma, Ltd., a pharmaceutical company based in Brighton, United Kingdom. Previously, it was tested in three early-stage trials in Europe and showed promising safety, tolerability and efficacy results. In the new NIAID-funded trial, currently enrolling healthy men and women ages 18 to 45, scientists will assess the safety and tolerability of a modified, thinner gel version of the formula tested in Europe. They will also compare participants’ systemic absorption of the XF-73 compound from the modified gel, the previously tested gel and placebo and the ability of each treatment to eliminate S. aureus bacteria.  

RESOURCE:
Information about this clinical trial is available at www.clinicaltrials.gov using the identifier NC01592214.

WHO:
Dennis M. Dixon, Ph.D., chief of NIAID’s Bacteriology and Mycology Branch, is available to discuss this clinical trial.

CONTACT:
To schedule interviews, please contact Nalini Padmanabhan, (301) 402-1663, niaidnews@niaid.nih.gov

NIAID conducts and supports research—at NIH, throughout the United States, and worldwide—to study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses. News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID Web site at www.niaid.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health ^®

Postdate: June 21, 2012

Mood Factors/Itch Quality of Life study

The Mood Factors/Itch Quality of Life Survey is intended to assess how certain mood states (e.g. depression, anxiety) and personality traits affect the severity of itch as reported by the patient. We are also interested in determining how mood states, personality traits, and itch severity affect the quality of life of patients with chronic itch. Eligible participants for the survey include adults (≥18 years of age) who have experienced itch for a duration of at least 6 weeks. If you meet these eligibility requirements and would be interested in participating in our study, please click here.

Emory University School of Medicine

Principal Investigator: Suephy Chen, MD, MS
Other Investigators: Seema Kini, MD, MS

If you have any questions about this study, you may call the Ms. Bridget Bradley, Clinical Research Coordinator of the Emory University Dermatology Clinical and Outcomes Research Unit at 404-778-3084.

Link to survey:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/itchqualityoflife

Postdate: September 8, 2011

New Atopic Dermatitis Clinical Trial - Protocol R668-AD-0914 – Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

This study is currently being conducted at ten centers in the United States. If patients are qualified for the study, they are treated with study drug once a week for four weeks, and then followed by the site staff for an additional two months. There are a total of 15 study visits over twelve weeks, for which patients can be compensated for their time and travel.

Principal Investigator:
Lisa Beck, MD – University of Rochester, Department of Dermatology

Clinical Trials listing: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01259323?term=R668-AD-0914&rank=1

For more information, please contact:

Deidre Stonestreet – Sr. Project Manager – i3, an Inventiv Healthcare Company
Telephone: 301-253-1535
Email: deidre.stonestreet@i3global.com

Postdate: April 6, 2011

Clinical Research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA

The Dermatology Clinical Unit for Research Trials and Outcomes in Skin of Massachusetts General Hospital is recruiting subjects with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, or eczema, to participate in a research study of an investigational ointment.

Eligibility Criteria and further details:

• 18 to 55 years of age
• About 7 study visits over 18 weeks
• Up to $420 in compensation

Principal Investigator
Alexa B. Kimball, MD, MPH

For more information, please contact:
harvardskinstudies@partners.org OR 617/726-5066

Postdate: March 10, 2011

Online Health Survey of Patients with Vitiligo

Sponsored by Nanette B. Silverberg, MD, Departments of Dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt and Beth Israel Medical Centers, New York, NY

Dr. Silverberg is conducting a survey to review the causes of an autoimmune disorder called vitiligo.

Patients with eczema or atopic dermatitis are being sought to complete the survey to provide comparative information on atopic dermatitis vs. vitiligo.

To participate in this survey, please go to:
FOR ADULTS: surveymonkey.com/s/Online_Adult_Vitiligo_Survey

FOR CHILDREN: surveymonkey.com/s/Online_survey_of_pediatric_patients_with_vitiligo

Postdate: March 9, 2011

How People Adjust to Eczema

Participants in this study you will be required to complete questionnaires that will take approximately 20 minutes. Participants are free to withdraw at any time and, if any of questions are particularly difficult to answer, the participant may opt not to answer.

All information collected will be kept strictly confidential.

To qualify you must:

Have eczema
Be over 18 years of age
Be interested in helping discover how to help people with eczema

To begin, please complete a survey by visiting this link:
surveymonkey.com/s/GDHF9MP
OR
Send an email to request a hard copy of the questionnaires:
ellikalaki@hotmail.com

Principal Investigator:
Elli Kalaki, Doctorate Candidate, Counseling Psychology, ellikalaki@hotmail.com
London Metropolitan University

This study has been approved by the
Research Ethics Committee, London Metropolitan University, UK, and is supervised by Chartered Psychologists:
Dr. A. Baker
Dr. A. Butcher

DISCLAIMER

The National Eczema Association (NEA) announces research as an informational service to its members. This announcement does not represent a NEA endorsement of this study, but makes you aware that this clinical study is available for your participation if you choose. If you are presently under the care of a physician for atopic dermatitis/eczema or other conditions, you should discuss this study with your doctor before altering your treatment program.

Other Clinical Trials

Clinicaltrials.gov is a registry of federally or privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world.