Evaluating a new treatment for diabetic foot ulcers

A Phase 2a Multi-Center, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Topically Applied PEP-TISSEEL in Subjects With Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU)

This study is testing a new topical treatment called PEP-TISSEEL to see if it helps people with diabetic foot ulcers heal better when used with standard care.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Rion Inc. (Industry-sponsored)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy, radiation
• Locations: 1 site (Blue Ash, Ohio)
• Trial ID: NCT06319287 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial is a Phase 2a multi-center, prospective, randomized controlled study aimed at assessing the safety and efficacy of a topical treatment called PEP-TISSEEL in combination with standard care for patients with diabetic foot ulcers. The study will involve 40 participants who will be randomly assigned to receive either the new treatment alongside standard care or standard care alone. Participants will undergo a two-week screening period before randomization to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria, which includes having a specific type of diabetic foot ulcer. The goal is to determine if the addition of PEP-TISSEEL improves healing outcomes compared to standard treatment alone.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older with a documented history of diabetes and a specific type of non-healing diabetic foot ulcer.

Not a fit: Patients with diabetic foot ulcers that are not classified as Wagner grade 1 or those who have not experienced non-healing for at least four weeks may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly enhance healing rates for patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have explored similar approaches using exosome therapies for wound healing, showing promising results, but this specific application is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Males and females ≥ 18 years of age
2. Properly obtained written informed consent
3. Documented history of Type I or Type II Diabetes Mellitus, requiring oral and/or insulin replacement therapy
4. The index ulcer is classified as Wagner grade 1 ulcer and remains Wagner 1 Grade between Screening and Randomization/Baseline visit (Visit 1 through Visit 3)
5. These ulcers are superficial, full-thickness ulcers limited to the dermis, not extending to the subcutaneous tissue
6. Area of index ulcer must be between 1 cm2 to 15 cm2 post debridement at screening and baseline
7. The index ulcer must be located anatomically on the foot with ≥ 50% of the wound area below the medial or lateral malleolus
8. Presence of a persistent nonhealing DFU for at least 4 weeks from Randomization and not more than 1 year that has failed to respond to SOC at any point during this timeframe
9. Adequate vascular perfusion as evidenced by one of the following:

   1. Dorsal transcutaneous oxygen measurement (TCOM/TcPO2) measurement of

      ≥ 40 mmHg within 90 days of Screening (Visit 1 or 2)
   2. Ankle Branchial Index (ABI) between 0.7 and 1.3 within 90 days of Screening (Visit 1 or 2) using the extremity on which the index ulcer is located
   3. Arterial Doppler ultrasound evaluating for biphasic or triphasic dorsalis pedis and/or posterior tibial vessels at the level of the ankle or a TBI (Toe Brachial Index) of \> 0.6 is acceptable within 90 days of Screening (Visit 1 or 2)
10. The index ulcer has been offloaded with protocol defined offloading device during Screening (Run-In) period through Randomization/Baseline visit.
11. Must meet one of the following criteria:

    a. Female subjects of Non-Child-Bearing Potential defined as: i. Postmenopausal for at least 1 year (Subject verbal confirmation acceptable), or surgically sterilized (i.e., hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy more than 3 months prior to Screening (Visit 1 or 2)), or ii. Bilateral tubal ligation more than 6 months prior to Screening (Visit 1 or 2), or iii. Must have a negative serum β-hCG pregnancy test at Visit 1 and not be breastfeeding prior to being administered with the study drug b. Male subjects of Non-Childbearing Potential are defined as those vasectomized subjects whose vasectomy was performed 6 months prior to Screening (Visit 1 or 2) or those diagnosed as sterile by a physician c. Females and Males of Childbearing Potential who practice an acceptable method of contraception defined as the use of any form of hormonal contraceptive, a barrier method with spermicide, condoms, intrauterine device, or abstinence from sexual intercourse starting at least 60 days prior to Screening and continuing at least 30 days following the last treatment.

    Female will undergo a negative serum β-hCG pregnancy test at Visit 1 and an additional urine test at Baseline/Randomization (Visit 3 or Day 0) and must not be breastfeeding prior to being administered with the study drug
12. Ability to comply with the study protocol as per investigator discretion

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Actively undergoing chemotherapy treatment (localized radiation treatment is allowed if it is not on the DFU wound site and in remission based on scans, bloodwork or some other kind of test, such as a breast biopsy or a bone marrow biopsy)
2. Ulceration with exposed tendon, capsule, or bone
3. Suspicion of bone or joint infection by clinical or other criteria as per STONEES criteria below:

   a. STONEES criteria for infection: i. size increase, ii. temperature elevation, iii. os (probe to bone) iv. new areas of breakdown v. exudative vi. erythema/edema vii. smell
4. Unable or unwilling to utilize the protocol defined offloading device
5. Subjects who have undergone endovascular or open revascularization of the index limb within the last 30 days from Screening.
6. Index ulcer has decreased in area by ≥ 30% between Screening (Visit 1) and Baseline visits
7. Any subject that is currently on/or requires oral, systemic or topical antibiotics, or is anticipated to require their use during the course of the study
8. Any subject that has vascular compromise requiring surgical intervention or has undergone vascular reconstruction or angioplasty less than 1 month prior to randomization. Any planned surgical procedures during the study participation
9. Serum Creatinine level \> 3.0 mg/dL
10. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) \>12%
11. Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST, GOT) and/or Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT, GPT) \>3x the upper limit of normal
12. Acute active Charcot foot
13. The location of the index ulcer is within 2 cm of any other ulcer
14. Any subject that would be unable to safely monitor the infection status of the index ulcer at home and return for scheduled visits
15. History of immunosuppression or taking immunosuppressive agents including systemic corticosteroids, except stable daily doses of 5 mg/day or less for chronic conditions for up to 5 days
16. Any subject with a life expectancy ≤ 6 months
17. Pregnancy, including a positive pregnancy test at Baseline, or lactation/breastfeeding at anytime
18. Use of investigational drugs or biologics within 28 days prior to screening (Visit 1 or 2)
19. History of a concurrent condition that, in the Investigator's opinion, would jeopardize the safety of the subject or compliance with the protocol
20. Known or suspected active abuse of alcohol, or non-prescription drugs
21. Participation in another interventional clinical study or study in the past 30 days of Screening (Visit 1 or 2) or concurrent participation in another interventional clinical study
22. Subjects who have untreated Hep C
23. Subjects who are HIV positive
24. Subjects on anticoagulation that are not maintained within the International Normalized Ratio (INR) of \> 3.0

Where this trial is running

Blue Ash, Ohio

• Professional Education & Research Institute (PERI) — Blue Ash, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Shariq Khan, M.S.

Conditions Diabetic Foot Ulcer; Diabetic Wound; Diabetic Foot; Foot Ulcer; Exosome; Extracellular Vesicle