Clinical Trial: Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Topical Bexarotene Gel in Patients With Parapsoriasis

Study Status: Terminated
Recruit Status: Terminated
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: A Phase II Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Topical Bexarotene Gel in Patients With Parapsoriasis: a Topical Chemoprevention Strategy for Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma.

Brief Summary: Parapsoriasis is a term that refers to a precursor stage of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL)/mycosis fungoides(MF). Complete responses (clearing) of early presentations of CTCL/MF have been shown to be associated with long-term survival and cure. Induction of a complete response in parapsoriasis, therefore, would seem to be a desirable therapeutic endpoint. Bexarotene 1% gel has been approved for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (mycosis fungoides). The goal of this study is to evaluate the tolerability, safety and efficacy of bexarotene 1% gel in patients with parapsoriasis.

Detailed Summary:

Parapsoriasis is a term that refers to a red, scaling (papulosquamous) eruption on the skin characterized by its distribution (trunk and proximal extremities), asymptomatic nature and chronic course. Histologically, parapsoriasis is characterized by variable degrees of parakeratosis and epidermal spongiosis with a superficial, sparse, patchy, lichenoid infiltrate of lymphocytes and varying degrees of epidermal involvement (epidermotropism). No definitive studies have defined its etiology or epidemiology.

Historically, the term "parapsoriasis" was introduced into the dermatology literature by Brocq in 1902. Brocq used the term to clinically characterize a variety of papulosquamous eruptions that were first reported in the late 19th century. In 1905, he attempted to categorize parapsoriasis in relationship to other papulosquamous diseases of the skin. In his model, Brocq delineated a relationship between some variants of parapsoriasis (parapsoriasis en plaques or large plaque parapsoriasis) and mycosis fungoides or cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). The first cases of mycosis fungoides (MF) were reported early in the 19th century. Progressive stages of MF ("premycotic" patch phase, plaque phase and tumor phase) were defined later in the 19th century, while the neoplastic nature of the disease remained unknown. Brocq's model sought to emphasize clinical similarities between some variants of parapsoriasis (large plaque) and early, patch phase MF.

Immunohistochemical (IHC) studies have demonstrated that parapsoriasis shares a similar immunophenotype with early stage CTCL in that the lymphocytic infiltrate is predominantly composed of CD4 lymphocytes. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)- based T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement studies have demonstrated that parapsoriasis is a lymphoproliferative disorder ch
Sponsor: Fox Chase Cancer Center

Current Primary Outcome: The primary efficacy endpoints (outcome) are the skin lesion responses determined by the Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Disease Severity following up to sixteen weeks of treatment

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Secondary efficacy endpoints (outcomes) include the disease response to treatment as determined by percentage of total body surface area involvement and physician global assessment following up to sixteen weeks of treatment.
  • Also, antitumor host response as determined by immunohistochemistry in pre and post treatment skin biopsies.


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: Fox Chase Cancer Center

Dates:
Date Received: May 4, 2006
Date Started: April 2001
Date Completion:
Last Updated: April 15, 2013
Last Verified: May 2006