Omega3 Wound Fish Skin Graft in the Treatment of DFUs

The study is a prospective, multi-center, parallel-group RCT designed to collect outcome data for the treatment of DFUs. The trial will be single blinded in regard to wound healing assessment (confirmation of wound healing will be overseen by an independent wound care adjudicator).

There are two arms in the study, both of which will receive standard of care (SOC): offloading of the DFU (CAM boots (Royce walker with diabetic inlay or equivalent) or total contact casting [TCC] if compliance issues or the subject's foot is too large for a CAM), appropriate sharp or surgical debridement. Patients cannot be on systemic antibiotics prior to randomization, infection management during treatment phase can include systemic antibiotics only in conjunction with debridement.

Arm 1 will receive, in addition, a fish skin graft (KerecisTM Omega3 Wound) secured with Steristrips, sutures or staples, covered with a nonadherent dressing (Adaptic, Systagenix, Yorkshire, UK or equivalent), the product bolstered down to the wound bed with a foam dressing (HydraFoam, DermaRite) and hydrogel as needed to retain adequate moisture balance and padded with stretch gauze and self adherent wrap as needed.

Arm 2 will receive a wound care covering comprising collagen alginate Fibracol plus dressing followed by a padded dressing comprised of 4x4 gauze pads, stretch gauze and self adherent wrap The wound will be dressed by patients or their caregivers at home 3 times a week and by the site investigator 1 day a week.

The study involves two phases: Screening and Treatment

Inclusion criteria

• At least 18 years old.
• Presence of a DFU extending at least through the dermis but not into tendon, muscle, or bone, provided it is below the medial aspect of the malleolus (UT grade IA/IC; see Appendix A for definitions).
• The index ulcer will be the largest ulcer if two or more eligible DFUs are present and will be the only one evaluated in the study. If other ulcerations are present on the same foot, they must be more than 2 cm distant from the index ulcer.
• Index ulcer (i.e. current episode of ulceration) has been present for greater than 4 weeks prior to SV1 and less than 1 year, as of the date the subject consents for study.
• Index ulcer is a minimum of 1.0 cm2 and a maximum of 25 cm2 at SV1 and TV1.
• Adequate circulation to the affected foot as documented by a dorsal transcutaneous oxygen measurement (TCOM) or a skin perfusion pressure (SPP) measurement of ≥ 30 mmHg, or an ankle brachial index (ABI) between 0.7 and 1.1 within 3 months of SV1, using the affected study extremity. As an alternative, arterial Doppler ultrasound can be performed evaluating for biphasic dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial vessels at the level of the ankle, or a toe brachial index (TBI) of > 0.6 is acceptable.
• The target ulcer has been offloaded for at least 14 days prior to randomization.
• Females of childbearing potential must be willing to use acceptable methods of contraception (birth control pills, barriers or abstinence) during the course of the study and undergo pregnancy tests.
• Subject understands and is willing to participate in the clinical study and can comply with weekly visits

Exclusion criteria

• Index ulcer(s) deemed by the investigator to be caused by a medical condition other than diabetes.
• Index ulcer, in the opinion of the investigator, is suspicious for cancer and should undergo an ulcer biopsy to rule out a carcinoma of the ulcer.
• Index ulcer on the heel
• Subjects with a history of more than two weeks treatment with immunosuppressants (including systemic corticosteroids >10mg daily dose), cytotoxic chemotherapy, or application of topical steroids to the ulcer surface within 1-month prior to first SV1, or who receive such medications during the screening period or who are anticipated to require such medications during the course of the study.
• Subjects on any investigational drug(s) or therapeutic device(s) within 30 days preceding SV1.
• Subjects who have received a biomedical or topical growth factor for their wound within the previous 30 days.
• History of radiation at the ulcer site (regardless of time since last radiation treatment).
• Index ulcer has been previously treated or will need to be treated with any prohibited therapies. (See Section 7.3 of this protocol for a list of prohibited medications and therapies).
• Subject has a known history of poor adherence with medical treatment.
• Osteomyelitis or bone infection of the affected foot as verified by x-ray within 30 days prior to randomization. (In the event of an ambiguous diagnosis, the Principal Investigator will make the final decision).
• Subject is pregnant or breast-feeding.
• Presence of diabetes with poor metabolic control as documented with an HbA1c >12.0 within 90 days of randomization.
• Subjects with end stage renal disease as evidenced by a serum creatinine ≥ 3.0 mg/dL within 6 months of randomization.
• Index ulcer has reduced in area by 20% or more after 14 days of SOC from SV1 to the TV1/randomization visit.