The study investigates the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in the treatment of keloids
Current scar treatments have limited efficacy and are often unsatisfactory although over $20 billion dollars are spent annually on the treatment and management of scars. Keloids, an abnormal proliferation of scar tissue, can be disfiguring, functionally impairing, and have dramatic impacts on quality of life. Treatments of keloids include a variety of modalities (i.e. intralesional steroid injections, silicone gel or sheets, surgery, laser, radiation therapy, cryotherapy, topical imiquimod, and intralesional 5-fluorouracil injections). However, current treatments are limited to primarily localized interventions. The Investigators hypothesize that dupilumab can decrease the size and symptoms of keloids and improve patient's quality of life. An open-label proof of concept study regarding the use of dupilumab in patients with keloids may be the first step in elucidating a novel systematic approach to treatment of keloids.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
20
Dupilumab a human monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin G4 subclass that inhibits interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 signaling by specifically binding to the IL-4 receptor alpha subunit, which is shared by the IL-4 and IL-13 receptor complexes.
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Median Score of Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) From Baseline to Week 24
The POSAS measures scar quality by evaluating visual (e.g. color), tactile (e.g. pliability) and sensory (e.g. itch) characteristics of the scar from the perspective of the observer (investigator) and patients. POSAS is comprised of two numeric scales: * The Patient Scar Assessment Scale (pain, pruritus, color, stiffness, thickness, bumpiness): The patient scores from 1 (normal) to 10 (worst) * The Observer Scar Assessment Scale (vascularity, pigmentation, thickness, relief, pliability, surface area): The clinician scores each item from 1 (normal skin) to 10 (worst scar imaginable). Both scales contain six items that are scored numerically on a 1-10 scale which are added for a total score. The PSAS score (range of 6-60) and OSAS score (range of 6-60) are combined to get a total scoring index (range of 12-120). Higher score = worse scar and lower score = better scar (closer to normal skin).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 24
Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS).
Average score of patients for Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) from baseline and week 24. Score Description: The VSS measures four parameters of scars: vascularity, pigmentation, pliability, and height. Each parameter contained ranked subscales that may be summed to obtain a total score ranging from 0 (representing normal skin) to 13 (representing worst scar imaginable). * Vascularity: assessed by looking at the scar at resting and by blanching the scar and observing the rate and amount of blood return 1. Score 0: normal color and capillary refill 2. Score 1: pink scar with a slight increase in the local blood supply 3. Score 2: red scar with a significant increase in the local blood supply 4. Score 3: purple scar with excess local blood supply, scars which are congested and refill slowly or cannot be completely blanched * Pigmentation: The skin will be blanched with a piece of plastic to eliminate the effect of vascularity on skin color and compared with normal skin (Score: 0-3)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 24
Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).
Average score patient-reported outcomes based on Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The DLQI is a validated general dermatology questionnaire that consists of 10 items that assess subject health-related quality of life (daily activities, personal relationships, symptoms and feelings, leisure, work and school, and treatment). The scoring of each question is as follows: Very much scored = 3 points, A lot scored = 2 points, A little scored = 1, Not at all scored = 0 points, Not relevant scored = 0 points, Question 7, 'prevented work or studying' scored = 3 points. The DLQI is calculated by adding the score of each question, resulting in a maximum of 30 (meaning maximum impact on quality of life) and a minimum of 0 (meaning no impact of skin disease on quality of life). The higher the score, the more quality of life is impaired. 0-1 = No effect on patient's life
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Time frame: Baseline and Week 24
Histology
Histology Description: To determine the effects of dupilumab on Th2 pathway molecules (IL-4 and IL-13) and selected indicators and mediators of fibrosis in keloid tissue. Tissue was collected by skin biopsy during the baseline visit (pre-intervention) and Week 24 (post-intervention). Average of the markers at Baseline and Week 24 were analyzed to determine effect. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for the following markers: collagen I (ThermoFisher, OB1310-01, 1:200), TGF-β (Abcam, ab215715, 1:200), HSP47(Santa Cruz, sc-5293, 1:2000), αSMA (Sigma-Aldrich, A5228, 1:2000), and IL-4Ra (R\&D Systems, MAB230, 0.5 ug/mL). Staining intensity or the percentage of positive cells was analyzed using ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 24
Mean Change in Volume of Keloid to Show Improvement
Change in mean volume of keloid to show treatment response will be assessed based on photographs taken by Canfield camera analysis software for patients who have data for both baseline and week 24.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 24
Histology - Tryptase
Histology Description: To determine the effects of dupilumab on Th2 pathway molecules (IL-4 and IL-13) and selected indicators and mediators of fibrosis in keloid tissue. Tissue was collected by skin biopsy during the baseline visit (pre-intervention) and Week 24 (post-intervention). Average of the markers at Baseline and Week 24 were analyzed to determine effect. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for the following markers: mast cell tryptase (GeneTex - Cat # GTX22378, 1:100). Staining intensity or the percentage of positive cells was analyzed using ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 24
Histology - pSTAT3 and pSTAT6
Histology Description: To determine the effects of dupilumab on Th2 pathway molecules (IL-4 and IL-13) and selected indicators and mediators of fibrosis in keloid tissue. Tissue was collected by skin biopsy during the baseline visit (pre-intervention) and Week 24 (post-intervention). Average of the markers at Baseline and Week 24 were analyzed to determine effect. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for the following markers: pSTAT3 (Cell Signaling Technology, CST4113, 1:50), and pSTAT6 (Abcam, ab236947, 1:2500). Staining intensity or the percentage of positive cells was analyzed using ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 24