pilot study of swift microwave device for onychomycosis

Conditions: Onychomycosis of Toenail

Summary: this is an open, single site, pilot study in canadian subjects diagnosed with mild to moderate toenail onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes. three microwave treatment frequencies will be compared for efficacy and safety, evaluated by frequency of treatment-related adverse events, clinical improvement of a treated target toenail and inactivation/elimination of fungus in the target toenail. outcomes will be evaluated at month 6, month 9 and month 12 after initiation of treatments. subjects not achieving 'temporary increase in clear nail' at month 6 may receive extra microwave treatments to month 9 or month 12 to improve outcomes.

this is an open, single site, pilot study in canadian subjects diagnosed with mild to moderate toenail onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes. a total of 45 subjects will be enrolled in the study. all eligible subjects who provide written informed consent will be randomized to one of three groups (15 subjects in each group): group a, b or c. the treatment regimen for each group is as follows: group a: subjects will receive treatment on day 0 and then weekly in the first month followed by monthly treatment for a further 4 months (9 treatments). group b: subjects will receive treatment on day 0 and then every two weeks in the first month followed by monthly treatment for a further 4months (7 treatments). group c: subjects will receive treatment on day 0 and then once every two weeks in the first six months (12 treatments). for all groups, patients not achieving 'fda efficacy' levels at month 6 end visit and/or month 9 end visit will be offered continuation of treatments once monthly for 3 months to determine if additional treatment will continue to be safe and increase efficacy. patients may refuse additional treatment, while continuing in safety follow-up to months 9/12. subjects will be followed up every 3 months for safety and efficacy to month 12, and at any treatment intervals occurring between these main visits. efficacy will be assessed by changes in affected nail area and length, both in clinic and through photos. mycology sampling will be performed at pre-determined intervals to assess fungal presence and viability post-treatment.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. provide written informed consent. 2. aged 18 years and above. 3. not pregnant or breast feeding. 4. distal subungual onychomycosis (dso) in a great toenail. 5. one great toenail as a target for treatment having at least 20% involvement of the nail area and no more than 75% involvement of the nail area. 6. target toenail thickness 3mm or less. 7. no area of infection \< 3mm from the proximal nail fold. 8. toenail for treatment with fungal infection confirmed by detection of a dermatophyte organism (i.e. trichophyton rubrum). 9. no more than 4 toenails showing visual signs of onychomycosis, including the target toenail. 10. subject agrees not to have any oral antifungal treatment or topical onychomycosis treatment during the study. 11. able to perform study assessments. exclusion criteria: 1. proximal subungual onychomycosis (pso). 2. superficial white onychomycosis (swo). 3. nail changes that appear as parallel lines, small pinpoint depressions, brown spots, black or brown linear streaks, complete yellowing of all nails without textural change, green debris below the nail or notches in the nail margin ('non-onychomycotic dystrophy'). 4. nails infected by rare fungal species or non-fungal organisms such as mould or bacteria 5. "spike" of onychomycosis extending to \<3mm from the eponychium (proximal nail fold) of the target toenail. 6. presence of dermatophytoma (defined as thick masses of fungal hyphae and necrotic keratin between the nail plate and nail bed) on the target nail. 7. patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (types i and ii). 8. peripheral vascular disease. 9. recurrent cellulitis. 10. lymphatic insufficiency. 11. immunocompromised (due to underlying medical disorders or to immunosuppressive treatments). 12. exhibit an increased risk of bacterial infections due to skin breakdown induced by a fungus 13. have a current infection or condition of the feet (fungal or otherwise) which may require antifungal or antibacterial treatment during therapy that may confound the study data. 14. nails for treatment involving the lunula. 15. co-morbidities including psoriasis, lichen planus or other medical conditions known to induce nail changes. 16. patients with trauma from ill-fitting shoes, running or overly-aggressive nail care. 17. subjects that have podiatric/ nursing nail care on a regular basis. 18. previous target toenail surgery with any residual disfigurement. 19. nails infected with candida. 20. any uncontrolled condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, may put the subjects at undue risk of adverse effects during the study. 21. subjects who have had any topical onychomycosis medication for at least 3-months prior to start of treatment or oral antifungal medication at least 6-months prior to study treatment. 22. implantable cardioverter defibrillator (icd), pacemaker or other implantable device. 23. metal implants at the site of treatment (within foot or ankle). 24. severe moccasin tinea pedis. 25. known allergy or intolerance to microwave therapy. 26. subject who has had any topical metallic or ionic treatment (e.g, aluminum chloride, silver nitrate) in the target or treated toenail areas within the last 6 months and agrees not to use any during the study. 27. current participation in a non-observational trial, or have done so within the last 30-days.

Keywords: tinea unguium dermatophyte