An Investigator-initiated Study of Apremilast to Demonstrate Efficacy Nummular Eczema (APREMINUM)
Nummular Eczema, Eczema, Dermatitis Eczema
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Nummular Eczema
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Clinically confirmed diagnosis of nummular eczema
- Biopsy-proven, meaning histology consistent with eczema (including PAS-staining)
- PGA ≥ 3 on a 5 point scale
- History of continuous use of topical steroids for the last 8 weeks
- Age 18-85 years of age, body weight ≥ 40 kg and ≤ 160 kg
- Signed informed consent from patient
Exclusion Criteria:
- Permanent severe diseases, especially those affecting the immune system
- Pregnancy or breast feeding
- History or presence of epilepsy, significant neurological disorders, depression, suicidal ideation and behaviour, cerebrovascular attacks or ischemia
- History or presence of myocardial infarction or cardiac arrhythmia which requires drug therapy
Evidence of severe renal dysfunction defined as:
- eGFR < 30 ml/min/1,73 m2 (calculated using the MDRD formula) at screening (Visit 1)
Evidence of significant hepatic disease defined as:
At screening (Visit 1):
- Alkaline phosphatase >3x upper limit of normal (ULN) or alkaline phosphatase >2,5x ULN and total bilirubin > 2xULN or
- Aspartate transaminase (AST, SGOT]) and alanine transaminase (ALT, SGPT]) > 2.5x upper limit of normal (ULN)
- History of lymphoproliferative disorders
- Patients who are considered potentially unreliable or where it is envisaged the patient may not consistently attend scheduled study visits
- Women of child-bearing potential, defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant unless they use effective contraception during the study and for 4 weeks after study completion or discontinuation. The chosen form of birth control must be effective by the time the patient receives her first dose of study drug.
- Inability or unwillingness to undergo repeated venipuncture (e.g., because of poor tolerability or lack of access to veins)
- Inability or unwillingness to undergo repeated punch biopsies
- History of allergy to any component of the study medication
- Current use of strong cytochrome P450 enzyme inducers (eg, rifampicin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin and St John's wort)
- Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption
- Evidence of acute contact dermatitis at screening
- Evidence of underweight, defined as BMI < 18,5 kg/m2
- Evidence of Zink deficiency defined as Zink level < 20 µg/dL in serum
Sites / Locations
- Technical University Munich - Department of Dermatology
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Experimental
Apremilast
Placebo + Apremilast
Patients randomized to this arm will start Apremilast with a titration phase of 5 days, followed by 30 mg Apremilast tablets twice daily (BID) by mouth (PO) for a total of 32 weeks (including titration phase).
Patients randomized to this arm will receive identically matching placebo (including the titration phase) by mouth for first 16 weeks. Placebo participants will be switched to receive Apremilast 30 mg BID from beginning of Week 17 for another 16 weeks. In this arm Apremilast will be started without titration.