NCT04133506Completed
PGE2/IL-22 Pathway in Various Forms of Eczema
Defining a PGE2 Pathway in Regulating Eczema
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 10 Feb 2026
Brief summary (registry, in English)
Objectives: Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised immunologically by T cellmediated inflammation. The pathogenic mechanisms involved in its development are incompletely understood and targeted treatment options are limited. The investigators will study the Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)/IL22/IL17 pathway which plays an important role in murine model chronic skin inflammation. The investigators wish to identify subtypes of human eczema in which this pathway may be involved and to determine whether manipulation of this pathway may offer effective new treatments. Design, tissue/cells, techniques and measurements: To address these objectives, the investigators will measure the expression of IL22, IL17A and PGE2 synthases and receptors in skin biopsies from eczema and psoriasis patients using immunohistochemistry (confirming this with RT-PCR). IL22/IL17 producing Tcells (from peripheral blood) and their skin-homing capability (by ex-vivo cell culture and flow cytometry) will be measured. Deriving immune cells from skin biopsies using Villanova's technique1, the investigators will determine the T-cell response to PGE2 looking at PGE2 receptors and cytokine expression, interrogating these cells by flow cytometry. To determine the sequence and kinetics of activation of the PGE2/IL22/IL17 pathway the investigators will measure each immune mediator at specific time points by recruiting healthy volunteers inducing irritant and allergic contact dermatitis using dithranol and DNCB respectively. The investigators will repeat the experiment dividing volunteers into two arms, one pre-treated for one week with a non-specific prostaglandin inhibitor (aspirin) and the second with a placebo control.
- Status (registry)
- Completed
- Study type
- Observational
- Enrollment
- 38 (actual)
- First submitted
- 17 Oct 2019
- Start date
- 4 Nov 2021
- Primary completion date
- 30 Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
- NHS Lothian
- Diseases
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
- NCT number
- NCT04133506
What you commit to
- Study type: Observational
- Participants enrolled: 38
- From 4 Nov 2021 to the primary completion date, 30 Nov 2025
- 1 site in 1 country
- Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them
Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.
Who cannot take part
Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.
Prior treatment
- Treatment with systemic corticosteroids or other immune response modifying systemic drugs such as azathioprine or methotrexate 2 months before the study starts.
- Treatment with systemic corticosteroids or other immune response modifying systemic drugs such as azathioprine or methotrexate 2 months before the study starts.
Other illness
- intolerance/allergy to aspirin and allergy/sensitivity to dithranol or DNCB.
Other
- \-
- Eczema patients:
- Inability to give informed consent.
- Psoriasis:
- Inability to give informed consent.
- For healthy volunteers:
- involvement in another study at the same time.
- pregnancy
Who the study is looking for
- \-
- Eczema patients must meet criteria of one of the following groups:
- Have eczema and attend the Edinburgh Dermatology Clinic.
- The normal control patients will be matched for age and sex as closely as possible to our eczema patients.
- The participants should be able to give informed consent and should be at least 16 years of age with no upper limit.
- Psoriasis patients:
- The participants will have a diagnosis of psoriasis and attend Edinburgh Dermatology clinic.
- Controls will be age and gender matched. There is no upper age limit, but the lower age limit is 16.
- Healthy volunteers:
- The participants should have no intolerance or allergy to aspirin and no allergy/sensitivity to dithranol or DNCB.
- There is no upper age limit but the lower age limit is 16.
Age in the registry: 16 years to - · Sex: All · Accepts healthy volunteers
Sites (1)
Sites in registry order. Pick your city on the disease page to sort them by distance.
| Site | City | Country | Site status |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMRI Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status | Edinburgh | United Kingdom | Unknown status |
This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.