study evaluating the efficacy and safety of theraclearx on mitigating mild to moderate acne

Conditions: Acne

Summary: the goal of this clinical trial is to further substantiate the effectiveness and safety of theraclearx as a stand-alone treatment of mild to moderate acne in healthy teenagers and adults ages 12-40 over the course of 7 weeks. participants will be asked to have theraclearx treatments weekly for 6 sessions, attend a follow up appointment 2 weeks after the 6th session, have photos taken of their face and answer questionnaires related to their acne.

acne is a common disease of the pilosebaceous unit affecting both teenagers and young adults that causes both physical and emotional damage. the risk of delaying treatment is that of scarring which can be devastating for patients of all ages. the pathogenesis is complex and appears to involve 4 primary features: increased stimulation of sebum gland activity, increased bacterial proliferation (especially propionibacterium acnes), abnormal follicular hyperkeratinization and resultant obstruction of the sebaceous follicles, and the release of inflammatory mediators. these changes in acne patients result in the formation of clinical inflammatory lesions including superficial pustules such as comedones (popularly known as "blackheads" or "whiteheads") and more deeply located pustules, papules, nodules and cysts. due to the complexity of pathogenic mechanisms causing acne, treatment typically includes combination therapy including topical applications, oral medications, and numerous alternative therapies including lasers, light, steroid injections, chemical peels, and extractions. many of these treatments while effective if used for a sustained period of time, have side effects, complications, and resistance. so it is important to consider alternative therapeutic options. the application of lasers and light-based systems in the field of dermatology has dramatically advanced based on anderson and parish's theory of selective photothermolysis in which very short pulses of laser energy with high peak powers at a given wavelength are selectively absorbed by target chromophores such as melanin and hemoglobin, but delivering minimum damage to the normal tissue surrounding the target. the application of these lasers in the extended theory of photothermolysis has currently expanded to include the treatment of acne. recently, a novel device called theraclear®x, that combines vacuum pressure with a broadband light source (500 nm to 1,200 nm) was developed for the treatment of acne. unlike currently available devices, theraclear®x uses gentle pneumatic energy to draw the target tissue into the treatment tip, with negative pressure lifting the sebaceous gland and thus bringing it closer to the surface of the skin. the vacuum then elevates and everts the sebaceous gland, allowing it to open up and empty its contents, ejecting the acne causing bacteria, sebum, dead skin cells, and other impurities onto the surface of the skin. such photopneumatic devices are the only pulsed broadband light therapy approved by the united states food and drug administration for the treatment of comedonal and pustular acne, as well as inflammatory acne. inflammation caused by acne also has a major vascular component, which appears as redness. pulsed light is an ideal energy source to remove this redness. being able to offer comfortable, low risk treatment options for patients suffering with acne is critical as more patients are looking for these options. this clinical trial is therefore a critical addition to the armamentarium of acne treatments. the proposed clinical study will substantiate the efficacy and safety of theraclear®x as a stand-alone treatment for the mitigation of mild to moderate acne in healthy teenagers and young adults.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. healthy male or females of all fitzpatrick skin types between 12 and 40 years of age. 2. subjects must be willing to provide verbal understanding and sign an informed consent form, hipaa form and photography release form approved by the institutional review board. subjects less than age of consent must sign an assent for the study and a parent must sign the informed consent (if subject reaches the age of consent during the study they should be re-consented at the next study visit). 3. subjects must be in general good health, as determined by the investigator. 4. subjects must be willing and able to attend all study visits and comply with the pre and post treatment instructions. 5. subjects must be willing to have visia facial photography imaging of their entire face for overall evaluation of their skin at all visits. 6. subjects must be willing and able to complete and understand the various rating questionnaires. 7. subjects must have an iga score of 2 (mild) or 3 (moderate) at the baseline visit. 8. subjects must have a facial acne inflammatory lesion (papules, pustules, and nodules) count with no less than 10 but no more than 50 at the baseline visit. 9. subjects must have a facial acne non-inflammatory lesion (open and closed comedones) count with no less than 10 but no more than 100 at the baseline visit. 10. subjects with 1 or fewer facial nodules at the baseline visit. 11. females of child bearing potential (focbp) and females who are premenses must be willing to practice effective contraception for the duration of the study. (effective contraception is defined as stabilized on oral contraceptive for at least 3 months, intrauterine device, condom with spermicide, diaphragm with spermicide, implant, nuvaring®, injection, transdermal patch or abstinence.) females on birth control pills must have taken the same type pill for at least 3 months prior to entering the study and must not change type during the study. those who have used birth control pills in the past must have discontinued usage at least 3 months prior to the start of the study. women who use birth control for acne control only should be excluded. 12. premenses females and focbp must have a negative urine pregnancy test at the baseline visit. 13. subjects must be willing to comply with study instructions and return to the clinic for required visits. 14. subjects must be willing to use the cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen provided by the sponsor. 15. if the subject wears makeup, they must agree to use non-comedogenic makeup. 16. male subjects facial area must be clean-shaven for all study visits as to not interfere with study treatments and assessments. exclusion criteria: 1. use of an investigational drug or device within 30 days of enrollment or participation in a research study concurrent with this study. 2. any dermatological conditions on the face that could interfere with clinical evaluations such as acne conglobata, acne fulminans, secondary acne, perioral dermatitis, clinically significant rosacea, gram- negative folliculitis, dermatitis, eczema. 3. any underlying disease(s) or some other dermatological condition of the face that requires the use of interfering topical or systemic therapy or makes evaluations and lesion count inconclusive. 4. subjects with more than 50 facial acne inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules, and nodules) 5. subjects with more than 100 facial acne non-inflammatory lesions (open and closed comedones) 6. subjects with more than one (1) facial nodule. 7. subjects with a facial beard or mustache that could interfere with the study assessments. 8. subjects who have a history of experiencing significant burning or stinging when applying any facial treatment (eg, makeup, soap, masks, washes, sunscreens, etc) to their face. 9. female subjects who are pregnant, nursing mothers, planning a pregnancy during the course of the study, or become pregnant during the study. 10. if female, subject has a history of hirsutism, polycystic ovarian disease or clinically significant menstrual irregularities. 11. subjects who have a history of light-induced seizures or diseases that may be stimulated by visible light. 12. subjects currently using photosensitive medications or herbal supplements (ie. tetracycline and st. john's wart). 13. subjects who have a history of blood disorders that alter the ability of blood to coagulate and/or are currently taking anti-coagulants or blood thinning medications. 14. subjects who have a history of keloid and hypertrophic scar formation. 15. subjects who have a history of herpes simplex in the treatment area, connective tissue damage, immunosuppressive diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus and porphyria. 16. subjects who currently have active infections, broken skin, extremely dry skin or open lesions in the treatment area. 17. treatment of any type of cancer within the last 6 months in the facial area, with the exception of complete surgical excision of skin cancer outside the treatment area. 18. subjects who have not undergone the specified washout period(s) for the following topical preparations/physical treatments used on the face or subjects who require the concurrent use of any of the following in the treatment area: topical astringents and abrasives on the face 1 week non-allowed moisturizers or sunscreens on the face 1 week acne surgery 1 week antibiotics on the face 2 weeks other topical anti-acne drugs on the face 2 weeks soaps containing antimicrobials on the face 2 weeks light (e.g. led, pdt) therapy on the face 2 weeks anti-inflammatory agents and corticosteroids on the face 4 weeks retinoids, including retinol on the face 4 weeks chemical peel/microdermabrasion on the face 4 weeks laser therapy on the face 4 weeks 19. subjects who have not undergone the specified washout period(s) for the following systemic medications or subjects who require the concurrent use of any of the following systemic medications: corticosteroids (including intramuscular injections) (inhaled corticosteroids are allowed) 4 weeks antibiotics 4 weeks other systemic acne treatments 4 weeks systemic retinoids 6 months 20. subjects who have had botulinum toxin or filler in the facial area in the last 2 weeks or are planning on having botulinum toxin or filler during the duration of the study. 21. subject intends to use a tanning booth or sunbathe during the study. 22. subjects who are unable to communicate or cooperate with the investigator due to language problems, poor mental development, or impaired cerebral function. 23. subjects with any underlying disease that the investigator deems uncontrolled, and poses a concern for the subject's safety while participating in the study.