Growing research from independent laboratories provide an association between mycobacteria and sarcoidosis. More recent immunologic and molecular studies demonstrate immune responses to mycobacteria virulence factors. The purpose of this study is to assess if administration of anti-mycobacterial drug therapy will aid in resolution of cutaneous sarcoidosis lesions.
Independent molecular and immunologic investigations strengthen the association between mycobacterial antigens and sarcoidosis pathogenesis. Molecular analysis of sarcoidosis granulomas reveals the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) DNA and proteins that are significantly absent from granulomatous controls. Mycobacterial DNA has been detected in cutaneous sarcoidosis lesions, in addition to systemic immune responses against mycobacterial antigens. Due to the association between sarcoidosis and mycobacterial antigens, we postulated that broad spectrum antimycobacterial therapy could lead to restoration of T cell function and clinical improvement of chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis lesions. We investigated the safety and efficacy of Concomitant Levofloxacin, Ethambutol, Azithromycin, and Rifampin (CLEAR) therapy among chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis subjects, with change in lesion diameter from baseline to completion of 8 weeks of therapy as the primary endpoint; we assessed for decreases in granuloma burden, if granulomas were evident upon histologic examination. Change in modified Sarcoidosis Activity Severity Index (SASI) was the secondary endpoint.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
Levaquin 750 mg loading on day 1, then 500 mg po QD Ethambutol 15-25 mg/kg for a maximum of 1200mg QD Azithromycin 500mg on day 1, then 250 mg po QD Rifampin 5-10 mg/kg for a maximum of 300mg po QD All four drugs are given concomitanly
lactose control tablets; one for each antibiotic with equivalent pills
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Change in Lesion Size at the Completion of Antibiotic Therapy, Measured on a Continuous Scale; Change Will be Determined by Change in Diameter of the Lesions
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Granuloma Burden
Number of patients with a decrease in Granuloma Burden (only in those patients having granulomas present at baseline biopsy)
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
Change in Modified Sarcoidosis Activity and Severity Index (SASI) at Completion of Therapy.
Characterization of lesion severity was conducted using Modified Sarcoidosis Activity and Severity Index (SASI), measuring erythema, induration and desquamation. The modification was that the same scale was applied to any part of the body, instead of the face alone. The scale range is 0 (no problem) to 72 (very severe).
Time frame: Baseline to 8 weeks
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