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NCT Number: NCT00871052

Calcipotriol and Polymorphic Light Eruption

Polymorphic light eruption (PLE) is a photodermatosis with an extremely high prevalence, particularly among young women (up to 20%). The disease is characterized through itchy skin lesions on sun-exposed body sites occurring after sun exposure mostly in spring and early summer. Its etiopathogenesis is unknown but resistance to ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced immunosuppression with subsequent immune reactions against skin photoneoantigens has been suggested.

The phenomenon of UVR-induced immunosuppression (suppression of CHS) has been well known for many years. Recent findings showed that regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) (Tregs), a subset of T helper cells, are crucial in UVR-induced immunosuppression. However, the requirements for the maintenance of peripheral CD4+CD25+ T cells, important in suppression of immune responses, are still incompletely understood. Recent work suggests that cutaneous RANKL might be the physiologic missing link that couples UVR to immunosuppression. Epidermal RANKL, expressed in keratinocytes of inflamed skin due to e.g. UVR exposure was shown to control the number of Tregs via activation of dendritic cells, hereby mediating UVR-induced immunosuppression (e.g. suppression of allergic contact hypersensitivity responses). In addition to the suppression of local cutaneous hyperallergic responses, the development of systemic autoimmunity is suppressed. A strong inducer of RANKL expression and of Tregs is vitamin D3 that has been reported to have immunosuppressive effects. Interestingly, patients with autoimmune disorders (e.g. lupus erythematosus) may exhibit reduced vitamin D3 blood levels.

This randomized, double blinded left-right body side experimental comparison study was designed to assess the preventive effect of the vitamin D3 analogue calcipotriol in patients with PLE. The hypothesis is tested that treatment with a calcipotriol-containing cream can prevent the UVR-induced development of PLE skin lesions. Better insight into the pathogenesis of PLE may give clues to develop new therapeutic strategies.

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Key information

Conditions

Polymorphic Light Eruption

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Medical University, Department of Dermatology

Graz, A-8036, Austria

About this study

PLE patients will be recruited through the Photodermatology Unit of the Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Austria. Eligible patients will be identified through diagnosis-related computer-assisted search in the electronic patient chart system of the Unit. The diagnosis of PLE will be verified by patient's history, clinical symptoms, histologic findings, laboratory studies and/or phototesting procedures.

A calcipotriol-cream and a placebo cream are used in this study. Fifteen PLE patients will be enrolled. On day 1, the individual minimal erythema dose (MED) is assessed on patients' skin by exposure to a test ladder of solar-simulated UVR produced by a xenon arc source (Oriel Corp. Darmstadt, Germany). From day 2 to 5, 0.5 individual MED exposures (increased by 0 to 30% per exposure, depending on the erythema response to a preceding dose) are given to a total of four 10-by-10 cm skin test fields on symmetrically located, individual PLE predilection sites on the trunk or extremities. These test fields are pretreated in a randomized and double-blinded fashion either with the calcipotriol cream or the placebo cream (twice a day) during 7 days before start of phototesting.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of PLE either by typical history and/or typical histology of lesions and/or positive phototesting results
  • Age > 18 years

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of or history of malignant skin tumors
  • Dysplastic melanocytic nevus syndrome
  • Photosensitive diseases such as porphyria, chronic actinic dermatitis, Xeroderma pigmentosum, basal cell nevus syndrome, and others
  • Autoimmune disorders such as Lupus erythematosus or dermatomyositis
  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Immune deficiency or systemic treatment with steroids and/or other immunosuppressive drugs
  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • Antinuclear antibodies
  • UV exposure in test fields within 8 weeks before study start
  • General poor health status
  • Severe liver or renal disease, disorders or therapy of the calcium metabolism with vitamin D containing drugs

Treatment and study plan

Calcipotriol-containing cream

Drug

Topical treatment twice a day for 7 days

Other names: Vitamin D3 analogue

Primary outcomes

  1. Polymorphic light eruption score

    Time frame: 2 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pruritus

    Time frame: 2 weeks

  2. Erythema

    Time frame: 2 weeks

  3. Tanning

    Time frame: 2 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Medical University of Graz

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Calcipotriol in the Prevention of Polymorphic Light Eruption

Important dates

Study start
2009
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2009
First posted
Mar 30, 2009
Registry last updated
Oct 6, 2009

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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