A Phase 3, Randomised, 2-arm, Parallel-group, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Methotrexate Versus Placebo in Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis.
Atopic dermatitis is an ongoing condition that causes skin irritation, redness, and itchiness. Treatments are usually topical - applied to the skin (e.g., moisturisers or medicated creams) - but a wider variety of systemic treatments (that target the whole body) are needed for those whose condition does not improve with topical treatments. Methotrexate, a drug approved for similar conditions such as arthritis and psoriasis, has been shown to improve atopic dermatitis. This randomised, controlled clinical trial will investigate how effective.
• Woman of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at the Screening Visit and must agree to use highly effective methods of contraception while taking the investigational medicinal product (IMP) and for 6 months after the last IMP administration. Men must agree to use a condom during intercourse while taking the IMP and for 3 months after the last IMP administration. They must also agree to not donate sperm for the time period starting at the Screening Visit, throughout the entire trial period, and for at least 3 months after the last IMP administration.
• Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD) at least 12 months prior to the Screening Visit, diagnosed as defined by the Hanifin and Rajka criteria for AD 4.
• Moderate to severe AD, defined as the following criteria at the Baseline Visit: Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) ≥ 16, Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) ≥ 3, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) ≥ 10
• Eligible for systemic treatment, ie, documented history (within 12 months prior to Baseline Visit) of inadequate response to treatment with topical corticosteroids (TCS) or topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI)s or documented systemic treatment for AD (such as cyclosporine (CYC), azathioprine and/or mycophenolate mofetil). Inadequate response to TCS or TCI is defined as failure to obtain or maintain a remission or a low activity disease (IGA ≥ 2) despite a daily treatment with a class 2 or class 3 TCS or TCI for 28 days (or the maximal authorised duration according to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC))
• Treated with a stable dose of topical emollient, for at least 7 consecutive days prior to the Baseline Visit
• Chest X-ray without clinically relevant abnormalities performed within the last 6 months prior to the Baseline Visit
• Capable of giving signed informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the informed consent form (ICF) and in this protocol
• Willing and able to comply with the protocol requirements for the duration of the trial
• Covered by health care insurance in accordance with local requirements