Using spesolimab to treat pyoderma gangrenosum

Characterizing Pyoderma Gangrenosum Lesion Regression and Remission by IL-36 Receptor Targeting with Spesolimab

PHASE2 · Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NCT06092216

This study is testing if a new medication called spesolimab can help people with moderate to severe pyoderma gangrenosum, a condition that causes painful skin ulcers, when other treatments haven't worked.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (other)
Drugs / interventionsspesolimab, prednisone
Locations1 site (New York, New York)
Trial IDNCT06092216 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research evaluates the feasibility of spesolimab, an IL-36 receptor blocker, in treating moderate to severe pyoderma gangrenosum, a rare autoimmune condition characterized by painful skin ulcers. The study will involve multiple visits for physical exams, blood tests, and assessments of skin lesions, with spesolimab administered via infusion every 3 to 4 weeks. The goal is to determine if targeting IL-36 can lead to regression and resolution of ulcers in patients who have not responded to prior therapies.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with clinically diagnosed moderate to severe ulcerative pyoderma gangrenosum that has not responded to previous treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with mild pyoderma gangrenosum or those who have not tried any prior therapies may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly improve the quality of life for patients suffering from pyoderma gangrenosum by reducing ulcer severity and associated pain.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of spesolimab has shown success in treating generalized pustular psoriasis, its application in pyoderma gangrenosum is novel and untested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female subjects ≥ 18 years of age at the time of signing the informed consent document
* Subject is able to understand and voluntarily sign an informed consent document prior to participation in any study assessments or procedures
* Subject is able to adhere to the study visit schedule and other protocol requirements.
* Subject has clinically diagnosed ulcerative PG with PARACELSUS score greater than or equal to 10
* Subject has at least one clinically measurable ulcerative PG lesion on body that has failed to respond to at least one prior therapy such as (but not limited to) topical corticosteroids, intralesional triamcinolone, prednisone, cyclosporine, IL-23 inhibitor, IL-17 inhibitors, IL-1 inhibitors, or TNF-α- blocker therapy
* Subject has moderate to severe PG as determined by a GPG severity score of ≥3
* Subject is judged to be in otherwise good overall health as judged by the investigator, based on medical history, limited physical examination, and laboratory testing. (NOTE: The definition of good health means a subject does not have uncontrolled significant co-morbid conditions).
* Females of childbearing potential (FCBP) must have a negative pregnancy test at Screening and Baseline. While on investigational product and for at least 28 days after taking the last dose of investigational product, FCBP who engage in activity in which conception is possible must use one of the approved contraceptive options described below:

  * Option 1: Any one of the following highly effective contraceptive methods: hormonal contraception (oral, injection, implant, transdermal patch, vaginal ring); intrauterine device (IUD); tubal ligation; or partner's vasectomy.
  * Or option 2: Male or female condom (latex condom or nonlatex condom NOT made out of natural \[animal\] membrane \[for example, polyurethane\]). PLUS one additional barrier method:

    * (a) diaphragm with spermicide
    * (b) cervical cap with spermicide;
    * or (c) contraceptive sponge with spermicide.

The female subject's chosen form of contraception must be effective by the time the female subject presents for her Baseline visit (for example, hormonal contraception should be initiated at least 28 days before first spesolimab infusion at Baseline).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Subject has a persistent or recurring bacterial infection requiring systemic antibiotics, or clinically significant viral or fungal or helminth parasitic infections, within 2 weeks of the Screening Visit. Any treatment of such infections must have been completed at least 2 weeks prior to the Screening Visit and no new/recurrent infections should have occurred prior to the Baseline Visit.
* Subject with current or history of positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or congenital or acquired immunodeficiency (i.e. Common Variable Immunodeficiency \[CVID\]), hepatitis B or C, or active or untreated latent tuberculosis.
* Subject has clinically significant (as determined by the investigator) renal, hepatic, hematologic, intestinal, endocrine, pulmonary, cardiovascular, neurological, psychiatric, immunologic, or other major uncontrolled diseases that will affect the health of the subject during the study, or interfere with the interpretation of study results. Uncontrolled disease defined as hospitalization within 1 month of screening visit or determined by specialist (rheumatologist, gastroenterologist) consulted prior to study start.
* Subject has presence of acute demyelinating neuropathy
* Major surgery (according to the investigator's assessment) performed within 12 weeks prior to receiving first dose of spesolimab or planned during trial such as hip replacement, aneurysm removal, stomach ligation, or otherwise determined by investigator
* Subject has a suspected or active lymphoproliferative disorder or malignancy
* Subject was treated previously with spesolimab or another IL-36R inhibitor biologic
* Any documented active or suspected malignancy or history of malignancy within 5 years prior to screening, except appropriately treatment basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or in situ carcinoma of uterine cervix.
* Subject has received a live attenuated vaccine ≤ 30 days prior to study initiation.
* History of adverse systemic or allergic reactions to any component of the study drug.
* Female subject who is pregnant or breast feeding

Where this trial is running

New York, New York

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.