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CompletedNCT03380026MIDASUpdated Sep 4, 2026Results posted

Mechlorethamine Induced Contact Dermatitis Avoidance Study

A Phase 2 interventional study of Triamcinolone and Valchlor 0.016 % Topical Gel in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma, Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma Stage I and Mycosis Fungoides, sponsored by Rochester Skin Lymphoma Medical Group, PLLC. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-04.

Sponsored by Rochester Skin Lymphoma Medical Group, PLLC · Phase 2, Interventional, and Supportive care

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
28
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This is a two-arm, open-label study that aims to compare the incidence and severity of the most common adverse reactions, particularly contact dermatitis, when Valchlor is used alone or in conjunction with triamcinolone ointment 0.1% in early stage MF subjects (Stage IA and IB) for a period of 4 months.

Read the detailed description

Mechlorethamine hydrochloride, or most commonly known as nitrogen nitrogen mustard, was approved by the FDA in 2013 for the treatment of IA and IB Mycosis Fungoides. The most common side effect of Valchlor is a skin rash, which is routinely ameliorated with the application of topical corticosteroids, such as topical Triamcinolone. The main purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of Triamcinolone in reducing side effects cause by Valchlor and further understand the nature of this skin rash.

This is a split-face study, meaning that subjects will receive both therapies, but limit use to designated areas. Treatment lasts 4 months with follow ups at 5 and 12 months.

02

Conditions studied

  • Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma
  • Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma Stage I
  • Mycosis Fungoides
  • Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides
  • Granulomatous Slack Skin
  • Syringotropic Mycosis Fungoides
  • Mycosis Fungoides Variant
  • Transformed Mycosis Fungoides

Keywords

  • CTCL
  • topical mechlorethamine
  • Valchlor
  • contact dermatitis
  • triamcinolone
  • MF
  • Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma
03

Who can participate

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Be eligible to receive Valchlor therapy.
  • Be at least of 18 years of age and ability to give informed consent
  • Have stage IA or IB CTCL
  • Subjects with histologic variants of Mycosis Fungoides such as folliculotropic, granulomatous slack skin, syringotropic MF, or large cell transformation ARE eligible.
  • A skin biopsy within the last 60 days before start of treatment. In cases with equivocal histological features, the diagnosis may be confirmed with clinicopathologic and/or genetic testing consistent with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for Mycosis Fungoides. If sufficient tissue is not available to perform genetic testing, a new biopsy will be performed even if the subject has had a biopsy within 60 days of start of treatment.
  • Females of child bearing potential must agree to use two highly effective methods of contraception (strongly recommended that one of the two forms of contraception be non-hormonal such as condom plus spermicide, condom plus diaphragm with spermicide, or have a vasectomized partner) or use an intrauterine device until 30 days after the last day of drug administration. Perimenopausal women must be amenorrhoeic for at least 12 months to be considered of nonchildbearing potential.
  • Males with female partners of child bearing potential must agree to sexual abstinence or use two reliable forms of effective contraception simultaneously (strongly recommended that one of the two forms should be non-hormonal as described above) during the entire treatment period and 30 days after the last dose.
  • Must be able to comply with the study instructions, apply the study medication as directed, and attend all visits.
  • Willingness to avoid sun exposure and ultraviolet B light in areas to be treated.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Have been treated with topical mechlorethamine within 6 months in lesions followed during this study.
  • Have received any topical therapy directed against MF within 2 weeks of start of treatment in areas intended to be treated in this study.
  • Have received any systemic therapy (oral or injectables) within 3 weeks of start of treatment.
  • Not have any intercurrent illness or infection that would interfere with study participation
  • Known hypersensitivity to mechlorethamine or triamcinolone.
  • Breastfeeding, pregnancy, or intention to become pregnant.
04

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
28 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Valchlor 0.016% Topical Gel

    0.016% w/w topical mechlorethamine gel applied over a minimum of 8 cm2, nightly, over a period of 4 months.

    Drug: Valchlor 0.016 % Topical Gel

  • Active comparator
    Valchlor plus Triamcinolone

    0.016% w/w topical mechlorethamine gel (once, nightly) and Triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% ointment (up to three times daily) applied in over a minimum of 8 cm2, over a period of 4 months.

    Drug: Triamcinolone · Drug: Valchlor 0.016 % Topical Gel

Interventions

  • DrugTriamcinolone

    Apply up to three times daily on select lesions.

    Also known as: triamcinolone acetonide, Triamcinolone 0.1% ointment

  • DrugValchlor 0.016 % Topical Gel

    Apply valchlor nightly on select lesions.

    Also known as: topical nitrogen mustard, mechlorethamine hydrochloride, mechlorethamine gel

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Incidence of Moderate to Severe Contact Dermatitis by SCORD Scoring

    Incidence of moderate to severe contact dermatitis in patients treated concurrently with Triamcinolone 0.1% ointment versus those that are not. Dermatitis will be defined as a finding of cutaneous inflammatory reaction occurring as a result of treatment. This will be assessed by the SCORD (SCORing Dermatitis) tool and may be confirmed by biopsy of the specimen. Moderate to Severe Contact dermatitis is defined as \>25 by SCORD. A total of 26 participants had evaluable SCORD data available at 4 months for both treatment sides and were included in this analysis. While 28 participants enrolled and 27 had at least one post-baseline assessment, 2 participants withdrew prior to completing the 4-month SCORD evaluation, leaving 26 evaluable subjects.

    Time frame: 4 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Nature of Contact Dermatitis (Allergic Versus Irritant)

    The presence of allergic versus irritant dermatitis was characterized through skin biopsies sent for pathological review and patch testing. Subjects were evaluated at Screening, Month 1, month 2, month 3, and month 4 visits for incidence of dermatitis. Subjects presenting to the clinic with dermatitis underwent patch testing to determine the presence of allergic vs. Irritant contact dermatitis, and at each case a biopsy sample was taken of the affected area to confirm the diagnosis. Patch testing was assessed by the investigator according to the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group scale, using the following for possible outcomes : ?+ indicates a doubtful reaction, 1+ indicates a weak reaction, 2+ represents a strong reaction, 3+ indicates an extreme reaction, and IR indicates an Irritant reaction. A higher score would indicate a worse outcome. For patch testing, a 1-3+ reaction at the 96hr reading post-application was considered positive for allergic contact dermatitis.

    Time frame: Subjects were evaluated for dermatitis at each visit over the 4-month duration of the trial. Monthly study visits at Months 1, 2, 3, and 4. 27 participants had at least one post-baseline measurement and were included in the overall study assessment.

Other outcomes

  1. Severity of Dermatitis

    Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) differences between lesions treated with Valchlor and Triamcinolone versus lesions treated with Valchlor only. SCORAD measures the extent and severity of dermatitis. The percentage of total body surface area (0-100) covered by a lesion is measured by an investigator, and this number corresponds to score "A." The intensity criteria are met by scoring erythema, edema/papulation, oozing/crusting, excoriation, xerosis, and thickness on a scale of 0-3 (0=none, 1=mild, 2=Moderate, 3=Severe). These values are summed to give a total score, "B." Subjective symptoms of pruritus and insomnia are then scored using visual analogue scales ranging from 0-10 (0=none, 10=worst imaginable), and the result of each is summed to give score "C". The final score is then calculated by the formula A/5 + 7B/2 + C. The lowest possible score is 0, and the highest possible score is 103. A higher score indicates a worse outcome. A lower score would be a better outcome.

    Time frame: 4 months

  2. Efficacy of Valchlor vs Valchlor Plus Triamcinolone

    CAILS (Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Severity) is calculated per target lesion. Each component (erythema, scaling, plaque elevation, hypo/hyperpigmentation, and surface area) is graded on a scale of 0 to 8. Total CAILS scores range from 0 to 24 per lesion, where a score of 0 represents complete clearing (best outcome) and 24 represents maximum severe disease (worst outcome).

    Time frame: Baseline and Month 4

06

Results

Posted Nov 24, 2021

Participant flow

Patients presenting to medical clinic eligible for mechlorethamine topical therapy.

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneAll Participants
Started28
Half of body assigned to treatment with valchlor only28
Half of body assigned to treatment with valchlor and triamcinolone acetonide28
Completed25
Not completed3

Outcome measures

PrimaryIncidence of Moderate to Severe Contact Dermatitis by SCORD Scoring

Incidence of moderate to severe contact dermatitis in patients treated concurrently with Triamcinolone 0.1% ointment versus those that are not. Dermatitis will be defined as a finding of cutaneous inflammatory reaction occurring as a result of treatment. This will be assessed by the SCORD (SCORing Dermatitis) tool and may be confirmed by biopsy of the specimen. Moderate to Severe Contact dermatitis is defined as \>25 by SCORD. A total of 26 participants had evaluable SCORD data available at 4 months for both treatment sides and were included in this analysis. While 28 participants enrolled and 27 had at least one post-baseline assessment, 2 participants withdrew prior to completing the 4-month SCORD evaluation, leaving 26 evaluable subjects.

Time frame:
4 months
Reported as:
Number · patients
Incidence of Moderate to Severe Contact Dermatitis by SCORD Scoring
patientsValchlor 0.016% Topical GelValchlor Plus Triamcinolone
Incidence of Moderate to Severe Contact Dermatitis by SCORD Scoring1611
SecondaryNature of Contact Dermatitis (Allergic Versus Irritant)

The presence of allergic versus irritant dermatitis was characterized through skin biopsies sent for pathological review and patch testing. Subjects were evaluated at Screening, Month 1, month 2, month 3, and month 4 visits for incidence of dermatitis. Subjects presenting to the clinic with dermatitis underwent patch testing to determine the presence of allergic vs. Irritant contact dermatitis, and at each case a biopsy sample was taken of the affected area to confirm the diagnosis. Patch testing was assessed by the investigator according to the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group scale, using the following for possible outcomes : ?+ indicates a doubtful reaction, 1+ indicates a weak reaction, 2+ represents a strong reaction, 3+ indicates an extreme reaction, and IR indicates an Irritant reaction. A higher score would indicate a worse outcome. For patch testing, a 1-3+ reaction at the 96hr reading post-application was considered positive for allergic contact dermatitis.

Time frame:
Subjects were evaluated for dermatitis at each visit over the 4-month duration of the trial. Monthly study visits at Months 1, 2, 3, and 4. 27 participants had at least one post-baseline measurement and were included in the overall study assessment.
Reported as:
Count of units · Incidents of dermatitis
Nature of Contact Dermatitis (Allergic Versus Irritant)
Incidents of dermatitisAll Participants
Incidents of Contact Dermatitis2
Incidents of Allergic Dermatitis10
Other pre-specifiedSeverity of Dermatitis

Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) differences between lesions treated with Valchlor and Triamcinolone versus lesions treated with Valchlor only. SCORAD measures the extent and severity of dermatitis. The percentage of total body surface area (0-100) covered by a lesion is measured by an investigator, and this number corresponds to score "A." The intensity criteria are met by scoring erythema, edema/papulation, oozing/crusting, excoriation, xerosis, and thickness on a scale of 0-3 (0=none, 1=mild, 2=Moderate, 3=Severe). These values are summed to give a total score, "B." Subjective symptoms of pruritus and insomnia are then scored using visual analogue scales ranging from 0-10 (0=none, 10=worst imaginable), and the result of each is summed to give score "C". The final score is then calculated by the formula A/5 + 7B/2 + C. The lowest possible score is 0, and the highest possible score is 103. A higher score indicates a worse outcome. A lower score would be a better outcome.

Time frame:
4 months
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Severity of Dermatitis
score on a scaleValchlor 0.016% Topical GelValchlor Plus Triamcinolone
Severity of Dermatitis24.8 ± 21.812.7 ± 13.5
Other pre-specifiedEfficacy of Valchlor vs Valchlor Plus Triamcinolone

CAILS (Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Severity) is calculated per target lesion. Each component (erythema, scaling, plaque elevation, hypo/hyperpigmentation, and surface area) is graded on a scale of 0 to 8. Total CAILS scores range from 0 to 24 per lesion, where a score of 0 represents complete clearing (best outcome) and 24 represents maximum severe disease (worst outcome).

Time frame:
Baseline and Month 4
Reported as:
Mean · CAILS score
Efficacy of Valchlor vs Valchlor Plus Triamcinolone
CAILS scoreValchlor 0.016% Topical GelValchlor Plus Triamcinolone
Average CAILS score at Baseline8.6 ± 4.27.0 ± 5.1
Average CAILS score at Month 411.4 ± 4.912.0 ± 4.85

Adverse events

Collected over 12 months. Non-serious events are listed at a 5% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Valchlor 0.016% Topical Gel0/28 (0%)0/28 (0%)16/28 (57.1%)
Valchlor Plus Triamcinolone0/28 (0%)0/28 (0%)11/28 (39.3%)
Most frequent other events
Most frequent other events
EventValchlor 0.016% Topical GelValchlor Plus Triamcinolone
Contact DermatitisSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders16/2811/28

Baseline characteristics

Age, Customized
Age, Customized(Participants)All Participants
21-302
31-401
41-502
51-606
61-707
71-807
81-903
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)All Participants
Female10
Male18
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)All Participants
American Indian or Alaska Native0
Asian1
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander0
Black or African American2
White25
More than one race0
Unknown or Not Reported0
07

Study locations

1 site
  • Rochester Skin Lymphoma Medical Group, PLLC
    Fairport, New York 14450, United States
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Lessin SR, Duvic M, Guitart J, Pandya AG, Strober BE, Olsen EA, Hull CM, Knobler EH, Rook AH, Kim EJ, Naylor MF, Adelson DM, Kimball AB, Wood GS, Sundram U, Wu H, Kim YH. Topical chemotherapy in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: positive results of a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial testing the efficacy and safety of a novel mechlorethamine, 0.02%, gel in mycosis fungoides. JAMA Dermatol. 2013 Jan;149(1):25-32. doi: 10.1001/2013.jamadermatol.541. PubMed 23069814 ↗
  • Alexander-Savino CV, Chung CG, Gilmore ES, Carroll SM, Poligone B. Randomized Mechlorethamine/Chlormethine Induced Dermatitis Assessment Study (MIDAS) Establishes Benefit of Topical Triamcinolone 0.1% Ointment Cotreatment in Mycosis Fungoides. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2022 Mar;12(3):643-654. doi: 10.1007/s13555-022-00681-6. Epub 2022 Feb 5. PubMed 35122614 ↗

Study documents

  • Protocol and statistical analysis plan · Jul 11, 2017

Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — Data will be embargoed until the study site has fully examined it. Expected embargo would be one year from study completion. Study data that is de-identified will be maintained at the study site. As this field is rapidly changing, if a database is available for safe, public upload at the end of study embargo, it will be uploaded to a national database. Otherwise requests for use of the study data will be accepted at the study site and shared with investigators whose proposed use of data has been approved by an independent institutional review board. Contact addresses and phone numbers will be presented on all publications to assist in this study sharing.

Supporting information: Csr

09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03380026
Lead sponsor
Rochester Skin Lymphoma Medical Group, PLLC
Collaborators
Rochester General Hospital
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Dec 20, 2017
Start date
Dec 13, 2017
Primary completion
Aug 3, 2020
Completion
Dec 13, 2020
Results posted
Nov 24, 2021
Last update
Sep 4, 2026

Study contacts

Brian Poligone, MD, PhD
principal investigator · Rochester Skin Lymphoma Medical Group, PLLC

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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