Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin in Biopsy Scar Minimization

Scar Clinical Trial

Official title:

Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin in Biopsy Scar Minimization

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Active, not recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05478551
• Other study ID #: 15432
• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Phase: Phase 2/Phase 3
• Start date: June 1, 2022
• Est. completion date: December 30, 2024

Study information

• Verified date: April 2024
• Source: Henry Ford Health System
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The proposed study seeks to evaluate the scar reduction capacity of BTA on excision/biopsy wounds compared to the control (normal saline) in a double-blinded randomized control trial. It will expand upon previous studies that have already demonstrated the safety and good tolerance profile of BTA. We will be conducting a split-scar study/study involving two biopsy sites in a singular patient, allowing them to serve as their own control. In keeping with the results from previously conducted studies, we hypothesize that the wounds treated with BTA will have significantly less evidence of scar formation than those sites treated with normal saline.

Description:

The process of scar formation is denoted by three stages: inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling. The former phase is characterized by the activation of the extrinsic clotting pathway and subsequent materialization of a fibrin plug, after which neutrophils facilitate the degradation of pathogens and secretion of signaling molecules that commence the proliferative phase. The fibrin plug is then replaced by granulation tissue comprised of macrophages, fibroblast, and endothelial cells in the proliferative phase. Through the release several growth factors, existing macrophages induce laying down of type III collagen by fibroblasts, and keratinocytes work in tandem to approximate wound edges. Lastly, during the remodeling phase, cellular apoptosis causes granulation tissue formation to subside, type III collagen is replaced by a more durable collagen type I, and myofibroblasts help to condense the scar size.1,2

While scarring in its non-pathological forms is an innate and appropriate bodily response to cutaneous injury, scar development and persistence can have negative physical and psychological implications, including decreased range of motion secondary to contracture, disfigurement, and impaired quality of life.1,3-5 Thus, for medical and cosmetic purposes alike, curtailing scar formation is important aspect of patient management, and treatment aimed at both prevention and resolution is an evolving subject in the medical discourse. Credence has been given to the use of botulinum toxin A (BTA) in scar minimization, a more novel therapy, and has proved efficacious in several studies including those examining BTA in the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars, mammoplasty and abdominoplasty surgery scars, and post-operative scars generally.6-9 The suggested mechanisms for this phenomenon involve inhibition of pre-synaptic acetylcholine channels that lead to muscle paralysis and relaxation of perpendicular wound tension; this particular mechanism is likewise theorized to mitigate collagen overproduction. Another hypothesis for explaining the ability of BTA to reduce scar appearance is the direct modulation of fibroblast activity.6

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Enrollment: 12
• Est. completion date: December 30, 2024
• Est. primary completion date: December 30, 2024
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 70 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy Individuals age 18 and older

• Able to understand the requirements of the study and its associated risks

• Able to complete and sign a consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to botulinum toxin

• Currently pregnant or breastfeeding

• Myasthenia gravis

• Previous injection of botulinum toxin in the specified treatment areas within 6 months prior to enrollment

• Unable to follow up 6 months after biopsy procedure

• Refusal to participate in the trial

• History of keloid or hypertrophic scars

• Eaton-Lambert Syndrome

• Amyopathic Lateral Sclerosis

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cicatrix
• Cicatrix, Hypertrophic
• Hypertrophic Scar
• Scar

Intervention

Drug:
• Botulinum Toxin
We will be comparing botulinum toxin following the biopsies to placebo injection. We will then compare photos of each biopsy site at set intervals following the procedure.
• Normal saline
Normal saline will serve as the placebo control on the contralateral side of the back.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Henry Ford Health System	Detroit	Michigan

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Henry Ford Health System

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (8)

Abedini R, Mehdizade Rayeni N, Haddady Abianeh S, Rahmati J, Teymourpour A, Nasimi M. Botulinum Toxin Type A Injection for Mammoplasty and Abdominoplasty Scar Management: A Split-Scar Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Study. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2020 — View Citation

Guo X, Song G, Zhang D, Jin X. Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Improving Scar Quality and Wound Healing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Aesthet Surg J. 2020 Apr 14;40(5):NP273-NP285. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjz165. — View Citation

Kasyanju Carrero LM, Ma WW, Liu HF, Yin XF, Zhou BR. Botulinum toxin type A for the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids: Updated review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019 Feb;18(1):10-15. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12828. Epub 2018 Dec 12. — View Citation

Oh H, Boo S. Assessment of burn-specific health-related quality of life and patient scar status following burn. Burns. 2017 Nov;43(7):1479-1485. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2017.03.023. Epub 2017 May 21. — View Citation

Oosterwijk AM, Mouton LJ, Schouten H, Disseldorp LM, van der Schans CP, Nieuwenhuis MK. Prevalence of scar contractures after burn: A systematic review. Burns. 2017 Feb;43(1):41-49. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2016.08.002. Epub 2016 Sep 14. — View Citation

Tziotzios C, Profyris C, Sterling J. Cutaneous scarring: Pathophysiology, molecular mechanisms, and scar reduction therapeutics Part II. Strategies to reduce scar formation after dermatologic procedures. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 Jan;66(1):13-24; quiz 25-6 — View Citation

Yang W, Li G. The Safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type A injection for postoperative scar prevention: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020 Apr;19(4):799-808. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13139. Epub 2019 Sep 12. — View Citation

Ziolkowski N, Kitto SC, Jeong D, Zuccaro J, Adams-Webber T, Miroshnychenko A, Fish JS. Psychosocial and quality of life impact of scars in the surgical, traumatic and burn populations: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open. 2019 Jun 3;9(6):e021289. doi: 10. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Primary Outcome Measure	Modified Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale v2.0 (POSAS)	3 months
Primary	Primary Outcome Measure	Modified Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale v2.0 (POSAS)	6 months