use of santyl in diabetic foot ulcers

Conditions: Diabetic Foot; Foot Ulcer, Diabetic

Summary: this study is designed to test the hypothesis that daily treatment of diabetic foot ulcers with an enzymatic debriding agent, santyl, for up to 6 weeks will result in more rapid decrease in ulcer area than diabetic foot ulcers treated with a topical treatment containing silver. after meeting study criteria, participants will be randomly assigned to apply santyl or a topical treatment containing silver to their to foot ulcer for up to 6 weeks. at the end of 6 weeks, participants will be followed for an additional 4 weeks to examine the outcome of the study treatment.

the objectives of this study were to compare outcomes of diabetic foot ulcers (dfus) treated with santyl or silver-containing products, both in combination with sharp debridement as needed. one hundred two subjects with qualifying dfus were randomized to daily treatment with either santyl or a silver-containing product for 6 weeks followed by a 4 -week follow-up period. the primary outcome was the mean percent reduction in dfu area. a secondary outcome was the incidence of ulcer infections between groups.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. provide written informed consent, which will consist of reading, signing, and dating the informed consent document after the investigator, sub-investigator or other designated study staff member has explained the study procedures, risks, and contact information. 2. eighteen (18) years of age or older, of either sex, and of any race or skin type. 3. willing and able to make all required study visits. 4. able to follow instructions and perform the dressing changes at home or have a caregiver who can perform the dressing changes according to the protocol. 5. willing to use an appropriate off-loading device to keep weight off of foot ulcers. 6. an ulcer present on any part of the plantar surface of the neuropathic foot or hallux which is 0.5 cm2 - 10 cm2 inclusive (as measured at the screening visit using the aranz silhouette imaging device). the target ulcer duration must be ≥ 6 weeks but not more than 52 weeks (12 months) as documented in the subject's history or by subject report of onset, and which requires debridement. 7. adequate arterial blood flow as evidenced by an ankle brachial index (abi) of \> 0.70 and ≤ 1.20. if abi \> 1.2, perfusion at or near the site of the ulcer should be confirmed; the foot is warm to the touch and has palpable pulses. 8. separation of at least 5 cm (closest ulcer edge to other closest ulcer edge) if ≥ 2 ulcers are present as measured using the aranz silhouette imaging device. 9. diabetes mellitus (type 1 or 2) requiring insulin or oral/injectable medications to control blood glucose levels. 10. target ulcer is not infected based on clinical assessment. exclusion criteria: 1. contraindications or hypersensitivity to the use of clostridial collagenase or products containing silver. 2. participation in another clinical trial within thirty (30) days of visit 1, or planned participation overlapping with this study. 3. bleeding disorder that would preclude sharp debridement during the study. 4. active cellulitis of the target ulcer, lymphangitic streaking, deep tissue abscess, gangrene, or infection of muscle, tendon, joint or bone. 5. infection with systemic toxicity or metabolic instability (e.g., fever, chills, tachycardia, hypotension, confusion, vomiting, leukocytosis, acidosis, severe hyperglycemia, azotemia). 6. a target ulcer which involves the underlying tissues of tendon, muscle, or bone. 7. diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease, leukocyte adhesion defects, or severe neutropenia. 8. current treatment (at the time of the screening visit) with any of the following: * systemic corticosteroids. if corticosteroid treatment was for ≥ 10 days, there must be a 1 week interval between discontinuation and screening. * immunosuppressive agents * chemotherapeutic agents * antiviral agents * systemic antibiotic therapy (for any reason) or topical antibiotic treatment of the target ulcer 9. treatment of target ulcer with bioactive therapies within 1 month of screening: * platelet-derived growth factor (e.g., regranex®) * living skin equivalent (e.g., apligraf®) * dermal substitute (e.g., dermagraft®, integra®, oasis®, etc.) * amniotic membrane products (e.g., epifix®, grafix®, etc.) 10. prior treatment of target ulcer for any length of time with clostridial collagenase ointment (santyl®). 11. radiation therapy to the target lower extremity within 30 days prior to screening. 12. medical or physical condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude safe subject participation in the study. 13. blood counts and blood chemistry values as follows: * alanine aminotransferase (alt) \> 3x upper limit of normal * aspartate aminotransferase (ast) \> 3x upper limit of normal * gamma glutamyl transferase (ggt) \> 2.5x upper limit of normal * serum albumin \< 2.0 g/dl • pre-albumin levels of \< 10 mg/dl * alkaline phosphatase \> 500 u/l • serum total bilirubin \> 3.0 mg/dl * serum bun \> 75 mg/dl • serum creatinine \> 4.5 mg/dl * hba1c \> 12% • hemoglobin (hgb) \< 8.0 g/dl * wbc \< 2.0 x 109/l • absolute neutrophil count \< 1.0 x 109/l * platelet count \< 50 x 109/l

Keywords: diabetes diabetic foot ulcer foot sore type 2 diabetes type 1 diabetes neuropathy dfu