Efficacy and safety of local infusion of botulinum toxin type B in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with digital ulcer is evaluated by a randomized, double-blind study.
To assess the efficacy and safety of local injection of botulinum toxin type B (BTX-B) against digital ulcers (DUs) and Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, investigator-initiated clinical trial (phase II), 10 patients with SSc and RP-related DUs were randomly and evenly assigned to a placebo control group or treatment group taking BTX-B injections. The degree of improvement in DU, change in size, number of new DUs, improvement in symptoms of RP, and adverse events were recorded.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
10
BTX-B (E2014, Eisai, NerBloc®) was injected subcutaneously from the palmar side into seven locations around interphalangeal metacarpophalangeal joints, targeting the neurovascular bundles just proximal to the A1 pulley (the radial and ulnar sides of the first finger, the radial side of second finger, the ulnar side of the fifth finger and between the second to fifth fingers). Three locations between the second and third fingers, the third and fourth fingers, and the fourth and fifth fingers were injected with 400 U (0.2 ml) of BTX-B. In addition, the radial and ulnar sides of the first finger, the radial side of the second finger, and the ulnar side of the fifth finger were injected with half a dose of BTX-B (200 units; 0.1 ml). A total of 2000 U (1.0 ml) of BTX-B was injected into one hand. Injections were performed using a 30-gauge needle.
Saline solution was injected subcutaneously from the palmar side into seven locations around interphalangeal metacarpophalangeal joints, targeting the neurovascular bundles just proximal to the A1 pulley (the radial and ulnar sides of the first finger, the radial side of second finger, the ulnar side of the fifth finger and between the second to fifth fingers). Three locations between the second and third fingers, the third and fourth fingers, and the fourth and fifth fingers were injected with saline (0.2 ml). In addition, the radial and ulnar sides of the first finger, the radial side of the second finger, and the ulnar side of the fifth finger were injected with half a dose of saline (0.1 ml). A total of 1.0 ml of saline was injected into one hand. Injections were performed using a 30-gauge needle.
Gunma University Graduate school of Medicine
Morishita, Gunma, Japan
Percentage of subjects who completely lost index ulcer 8 weeks after administration
The primary end point was the percentage of subjects with complete disappearance of index ulcer 8 weeks after administration. The index ulcer was defined as the largest DUs in the hand. The size of DU was measured as both the longest diameter of the ulcer and the diameter perpendicular to the center of the ulcer's diameter. Complete disappearance is defined as the disappearance of the area of the ulcer that has become epithelialized and covered by the epidermis from the periphery of the ulcer and continued coverage of the ulcer surface area that has been restored.
Time frame: 8 weeks after administration
the percentage of subjects with complete disappearance of index ulcer at 4, 12, and 16 weeks after administration
the percentage of subjects with complete disappearance of index ulcer at 4, 12, and 16 weeks after administration
Time frame: at 4, 12, and 16 weeks after administration
the rate of change in the number of DUs per hand
the rate of change in the number of DUs per hand
Time frame: at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after administration
the number of newly formed DUs
the number of newly formed DUs
Time frame: at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after administration
the number of newly formed DUs per hand
the number of newly formed DUs per hand
Time frame: at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after administration
the changes in RP severity were assessed using Raynaud's Condition Score [RCS]
the changes in RP severity were assessed using Raynaud's Condition Score \[RCS\]. RCS is a daily self-assessment of RP activity using a 0-10 ordinal scale. RCS incorporates the cumulative daily frequency, duration, severity, and effect of RP attacks. RCS was averaged over a 7-day period preceding the baseline and each subsequent visit.
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Time frame: at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after administration
the changes of investigator rating Raynaud's Condition Score [RCS]
the changes of investigator rating Raynaud's Condition Score \[RCS\]. Investigator rating RCS was also assessed by the investigator (SM).
Time frame: at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after administration
the changes in the score of pain/numbness severity assessed using the 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Pain/numbness severity was assessed using the 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Pain/numbness severity was assessed using the 100-mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (range 0-100; 0 refers to no pain/numbness, and 100 refers to worst imaginable pain/numbness)
Time frame: at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after administration
the changes of the recovery of skin temperature in the finger with the index ulcer
the skin temperature of the finger was measured just after and 10 minutes after an ice-bath immersion
Time frame: at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after administration
the changes in the attack duration of Raynaud's phenomenon
the changes in the attack duration of Raynaud's phenomenon
Time frame: at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after administration
the changes in the number of attacks of Raynaud's phenomenon per day
the number of attacks of Raynaud's phenomenon per day was assessed for 7days
Time frame: at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after administration