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CompletedNCT01045551Updated Dec 13, 2016Results posted

Open Label Pilot Study of Apremilast in Treatment of Rosacea

A Phase 2 interventional study of Apremilast in Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea and Papulopustular Rosacea, sponsored by Julian M. Mackay-Wiggan. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2016-12-13.

Sponsored by Julian M. Mackay-Wiggan · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
10
Allocation
Not applicable
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder with the signs and symptoms of facial flushing, persistent redness, small visible spider-like veins, papules (inflamed red bumps under the skin) and pustules. Rosacea is also a a recurring skin disorder. In addition to causing uncomfortable and embarrassing physical symptoms such as flushing, burning, and itching, rosacea can also contribute to lower self-esteem, which can have a significant psychosocial impact on quality of life. Rosacea flares can be triggered by every day factors such as sun exposure, heat, hot or caffeinated drinks, alcoholic beverages, spices and stress.

Many of the currently available treatments for rosacea are only partially effective and some patients do not respond to them, or are unable to tolerate the side effects.

This is a single-center, open label trial of Apremilast in ten (10) subjects with moderate to severe inflammatory rosacea who will be treated with Apremilast 20 mg twice per day for 12 weeks. Following the screening period and baseline visit, study subjects will return at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. There is a follow up study visit at week 16.

Recent research has shown an increase of specific proinflammatory cytokines in the biopsies of inflammatory lesions from rosacea and acne patients. The cytokines then trigger a chain of chemical responses in the body that likely result in the development of the papules an pustules that are seen in rosacea and acne patients. Apremilast is an oral agent that modulates multiple anti-inflammatory pathways and has pharmacodynamic properties with potential therapeutic benefit for treating inflammatory autoimmune disorders.

The investigators therefore propose a pilot study to evaluate the potential for Apremilast to improve the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe inflammatory rosacea.

Read the detailed description

This is a single-center, open label pilot study of Apremilast in ten subjects with both erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and papulopustular rosacea in which subjects will be treated with Apremilast 20mg twice per day for 12 weeks. There is a total of 10 visits over a period of 16 weeks.

Adult male and female subjects 18 years of age or older will participate in the study after the objectives, methods, and potential hazards of the study have been fully explained, and after they have signed the informed consent form. Subjects must have a diagnosis or findings consistent with erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular rosacea. Subjects must have at least 10 papulopustular lesions with underlying erythema/telangiectasias visible to the unassisted naked eye.

Subjects will take Apremilast capsules 20mg twice per day for 12 weeks. If at anytime during the study a subject encounters overt study medication related adverse effects, dose reduction will be allowed following discussions between the subject and the investigator. Dose reductions to 20mg once per day will be allowed for subjects who experience intolerable adverse effects from the study medication. If the subject cannot tolerate 20mg per day, he/she will be terminated from the study.

02

Conditions studied

  • Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea
  • Papulopustular Rosacea

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Keywords

  • Inflammatory rosacea
  • Papules and pustules
  • Moderate to severe erythema
  • Telangiectasia
03

In context

Rosacea

225 studies on the registry are indexed under Rosacea; 19 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 10 is below the median of 61 across 195 interventional studies indexed under Rosacea.

Browse Rosacea studies →

Lead sponsor

Julian M. Mackay-Wiggan is the lead sponsor of 3 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Must be a healthy, post-pubescent male or female 18 years of age or older with moderate to severe erythematotelangiectatic and papulopustular rosacea, defined as 10 to 40 papules and pustules
  • Must have presence of moderate to severe erythema
  • Must have presence of telangiectasia
  • Must have a diagnosis or findings consistent with a diagnosis of erythematotelangiectatic rosacea and papulopustular rosacea
  • Must understand and voluntarily sign an informed consent form
  • Must be ale to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements
  • Must be able to restrict diet in order to avoid foods/drinks that are known triggers that would exacerbate the signs/symptoms of rosacea
  • Must have within normal range for routine blood laboratory tests
  • Females of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at screening and if sexually active must agree to use two(2) forms of contraception (adequate forms of contraception are outlined in the protocol)
  • Females of childbearing potential must agree to serum pregnancy tests every 4 weeks while on study medication
  • Males (including those who have had a vasectomy) must agree to use barrier contraception (latex condoms) when engaging in sexual activity with females of childbearing potential while on study medication and for 84 days after taking the last dose of study medication

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Inability to provide voluntary consent
  • Diagnosis of acne vulgaris or perioral dermatitis
  • Use of topical acne or rosacea treatments within 4 weeks of baseline
  • Use of systemic retinoids within 90 days of baseline
  • Known or suspected excessive alcohol intake (which in the opinion of the investigator will exacerbate the signs and symptoms of rosacea)
  • Use of any investigational medication within 4 weeks prior to start of study drug or 5 pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic half-lives (whichever is longer)
  • A known sensitivity to tetracyclines
  • Currently taking clinically significant concomitant drug therapy
  • Use of any acne or rosacea treatment during the course of the study or within four weeks of starting the study medication, including azelaic acid, topical or systemic retinoids, sulfa drugs, erythromycin, cephalosporins, quinolones, tetracycline, benzoyl peroxide products, as well as pulse dye laser, intense pulsed light and photodynamic therapy
  • Current use and inability to discontinue use of PDE 4 inhibitors, theophylline, systemic steroids (oral or inhaled), penicillin antibiotics, niacin greater than 500 mg/day, chronic use of NSAIDS, or use of any medication that in the opinion of the investigator affects the severity of rosacea
  • Long-term use (greater than 14 days) of topical or systemic anti-inflammatories in the 4 weeks prior to baseline and during the study. Chronic use of aspirin at sub-analgesic doses (less than 325 mg once daily) is acceptable for patients requiring platelet aggregation inhibition
  • Use of topical or systemic corticosteroids 4 weeks prior to baseline and during the study
  • Patients with ocular rosacea and/or blepharitis/meibomianitis who required treatment by an ophthalmologist
  • Patients who had surgeries that bypassed or excluded the duodenum
  • Any condition, including the presence of laboratory abnormalities, which places the subject at unacceptable risk if he/she were to participate in the study or confounds the ability to interpret data from the study
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or women of childbearing potential who are not using an adequate form of birth control as described in the inclusion criteria
  • Initiation of a hormonal method of birth contraception within 4 months of baseline, discontinuation during the course of the study, or change in the product within 4 months of baseline during the study
  • Subject is a woman who is perimenopausal whos symptoms cause flushing that may affect the rosacea
  • Systemic fungal infection
  • History of active mycobacterial infection with any species within 3 years prior to screening, subjects with mycobacterium tuberculosis infection more than 3 years prior to screening are allowed if successful treatment was completed at least 3 years prior to randomization and is documented and available for verification
  • Latent mycobacterium tuberculosis infection as indicated by a positive purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test. Subjects with a positive PPD skin test and documented completion of treatment for latent TB are eligible. Subjects with a positive PPD skin test and not treated or no documentation of completion of treatment are ineligible
  • History of incompletely treated mycobacterium tuberculosis infection as indicated by: a)subject's medical records documenting incomplete treatment for mycobacterium tuberculosis b)subject's self reported history of incomplete treatment for mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • History of recurrent bacterial infection (at least 3 major infections resulting in hospitalization and/or requiring intravenous antibiotic treatment within the past 2 years)
  • Clinically significant abnormality on the chest x-ray at screening, chest x-rays performed within 3 months prior to start of study drug are acceptable
  • Any clinically significant abnormality on 12-lead electrocardiogram at screening
  • History of congenital or acquired immunodeficiency (common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) Hepatitis B surface antigen positive or Hepatitis B core antibody positive at screening
  • History of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
  • Antibodies to hepatitis C at screening
  • Malignancy or history of malignancy (except for treated/cured basal cell skin carcinoma) greater than 3 years prior to screening
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
10 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Apremilast 20 mg (twice per day)

    All subjects will receive Apremilast 20mg taken orally twice per day.

    Drug: Apremilast

Interventions

  • DrugApremilast

    20mg taken orally twice per day for 12 weeks

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change From Baseline in the Total Number of Papulopustular Lesions at Week 12

    Papule and pustule count consisted of direct measurement of the number of papules/pustules on the face. Papule and pustule count, compared between baseline and end of treatment Week 12 was calculated

    Time frame: Baseline to Week 12

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Physician 7 Point Global Assessment From Baseline to Week 12

    The Physician Global 7-point Assessment. Scale range: 0-7. 0 = clear, 1 = minimal, 2 = mild, 3 = mild to moderate, 4= moderate, 5= moderate to severe, 6 = severe. 0 is a better outcome, 6 is a worse outcome. No subscales were used.

    Time frame: Baseline, week 12

  2. Change From Baseline in Erythema Rating Visit 8 (Week 12)

    The change in the Physician Overall Erythema Severity. Scale range 0 - 3. 0 = none/absent, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe. 0 is considered a better outcome, 3 is considered a worse outcome.

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12

  3. Change From Baseline in Telangiectasia Count at Visit 8 (Week 12)

    physician count of telangiectasias on the face at visit 1 (baseline) compared to at visit 8 (week 12)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 12

  4. Change From Visit 8 (Week 12) in Telangiectasia Count at Visit 9 (Week 16)

    Time frame: Week 12, Week 16

07

Results

Posted Oct 4, 2016

Participant flow

10 patients recruited

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneApremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day)
Started10
Completed10
Not completed0

Outcome measures

PrimaryChange From Baseline in the Total Number of Papulopustular Lesions at Week 12

Papule and pustule count consisted of direct measurement of the number of papules/pustules on the face. Papule and pustule count, compared between baseline and end of treatment Week 12 was calculated

Time frame:
Baseline to Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · papule count
Change From Baseline in the Total Number of Papulopustular Lesions at Week 12
papule countOpen Label Apremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day)
Change From Baseline in the Total Number of Papulopustular Lesions at Week 12-0.2 ± 25.77165
Statistical analysis
  • Open Label Apremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day) · t-test, 2 sided · p = 0.98 (The a priori threshold for statistical significance was P\<0.05.) · Mean difference (final values): -0.2
SecondaryChange in Physician 7 Point Global Assessment From Baseline to Week 12

The Physician Global 7-point Assessment. Scale range: 0-7. 0 = clear, 1 = minimal, 2 = mild, 3 = mild to moderate, 4= moderate, 5= moderate to severe, 6 = severe. 0 is a better outcome, 6 is a worse outcome. No subscales were used.

Time frame:
Baseline, week 12
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Change in Physician 7 Point Global Assessment From Baseline to Week 12
units on a scaleApremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day)
Change in Physician 7 Point Global Assessment From Baseline to Week 12-0.90000 ± 0.99443
Statistical analysis
  • Apremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day) · Mean difference (net): 0.09
SecondaryChange From Baseline in Erythema Rating Visit 8 (Week 12)

The change in the Physician Overall Erythema Severity. Scale range 0 - 3. 0 = none/absent, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe. 0 is considered a better outcome, 3 is considered a worse outcome.

Time frame:
Baseline, Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · units on a scale
Change From Baseline in Erythema Rating Visit 8 (Week 12)
units on a scaleApremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day)
Change From Baseline in Erythema Rating Visit 8 (Week 12)-0.7000 ± 0.48305
SecondaryChange From Baseline in Telangiectasia Count at Visit 8 (Week 12)

physician count of telangiectasias on the face at visit 1 (baseline) compared to at visit 8 (week 12)

Time frame:
Baseline, Week 12
Reported as:
Mean · telangiectasia count
Change From Baseline in Telangiectasia Count at Visit 8 (Week 12)
telangiectasia countOpen Label Apremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day)
Change From Baseline in Telangiectasia Count at Visit 8 (Week 12)0 ± 0
SecondaryChange From Visit 8 (Week 12) in Telangiectasia Count at Visit 9 (Week 16)
Time frame:
Week 12, Week 16
Reported as:
Mean · telangiectasia count
Change From Visit 8 (Week 12) in Telangiectasia Count at Visit 9 (Week 16)
telangiectasia countOpen Label Apremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day)
Change From Visit 8 (Week 12) in Telangiectasia Count at Visit 9 (Week 16)0.2000 ± 0.63246

Adverse events

Collected over Adverse event data was collected for approximately 4 years.. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Apremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day)—0/10 (0%)6/10 (60%)
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventApremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day)
urinary tract infectionRenal and urinary disorders2/10
upper respiratory infectionRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders2/10
loose stoolGastrointestinal disorders2/10

Baseline characteristics

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)Apremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day)
<=18 years0
Between 18 and 65 years8
>=65 years2
Gender
Gender(Participants)Apremilast 20 mg (Twice Per Day)
Female7
Male3
08

Study locations

1 site
  • Columbia University Medical Center
    New York, New York 10032, United States
09

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

10

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Dec 13, 2016, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT01045551
Lead sponsor
Julian M. Mackay-Wiggan
Collaborators
Celgene Corporation
Responsible party
Julian M. Mackay-Wiggan (Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology, Columbia University) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Jan 11, 2010
Start date
Jun 2010
Primary completion
Jan 2013
Completion
Apr 2014
Results posted
Oct 4, 2016
Last update
Dec 13, 2016

Study contacts

Julian Mackay-Wiggan, MD, MS
principal investigator · Columbia University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Oct 2016. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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