Residual Disease MEMory in PSOriasis Skin During EnstiLAR® and Narrow-band Ultraviolet B Therapy: The MEMPSOLAR Study

Psoriasis is a non-communicable chronic immune-mediated disease. Psoriatic skin is characterized by excessive proliferation of skin cells and infiltration of immune cells. The cause of psoriasis is so far unknown.

Established therapeutics include topical, oral-systemic, biologic, narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB). A persistent antipsoriatic effect by the newest biologic therapies has been demonstrated after treatment discontinuation. However, the remittive hallmark of psoriasis suggests the existence of a molecular scar, a kind of disease memory, in clinically healed skin. It has been suggested that this disease memory can be attributed to the tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cell.

The main purpose of the study is to investigate whether (NB-UVB) treatment and concomitant Enstilar® treatment can change the amount of TRMs in the skin as well as change the expression in the microenvironment around these cells in the skin from psoriasis patients. In addition, the investigators will investigate whether the treatment can change the quantity and types of other psoriasis-related cells in the skin. In addition to this, the investigators will also examine the effect of treatment on patient-related parameters.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

Age:

1. Women or men with chronic stable plaque psoriasis aged 18 years or older at the time of consent. Consent must be obtained prior to any study-related procedures. The participants must furthermore be willing to participate and must be of a condition capable of giving informed consent.

   Type of participant and disease characteristics:
2. History of chronic stable plaque psoriasis.
3. Candidate for topical treatment, as judged by the investigator.
4. Candidate for NB-UVB treatment, as judged by the investigator.
5. Two target lesions of \~3 cm at its longest axis located on the body (except for the scalp, face, or intertriginous areas), scoring at least 1 for each of redness, thickness, and scaliness on the TPSS.
6. Women involved in any sexual intercourse that could lead to pregnancy must agree to use an effective contraceptive method from at least 4 weeks before baseline (visit 2). Effective contraceptive methods are: Systemic hormonal contraceptives (oral contraceptive, transdermal patches, vaginal rings, long-acting injectables, or implants), intrauterine devices, vasectomy, or barrier methods of contraception in conjunction with spermicide. This must be used until EOT. Hormonal contraceptives must be on a stable dose for at least 4 weeks before baseline (visit 2).

   a. Women of nonchildbearing potential are as follows: i. Women ≥60 years of age. ii. Women who have had surgical sterilization (hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or bilateral tubal ligation) iii. Women \>40 and \<60 years of age who have had a cessation of menses for at least 12 months and a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test confirming nonchildbearing potential (FSH ≥40 mIU/mL) or cessation of menses for at least 24 months without FSH levels confirmed.
7. A negative serum pregnancy test at screening and a negative urine pregnancy test at baseline (visit 2) must be presented by women of childbearing potential.

   Exclusion Criteria:

   Type of participant and disease characteristics:
8. Female participant who is breastfeeding, pregnant, or who is planning pregnancy during the study period.
9. History of concomitant skin disease or presence of skin condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with the study assessments and the acquisition of biopsies.
10. Other psoriasis subtype (erythrodermic, guttate, pustular, inverse, drug-induced).
11. History or presence of signs or symptom of progressive or uncontrollable infectious, endocrine, neurological, renal, hepatic, cardiac, hepatic, vascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hematological rheumatological, psychiatric or metabolic disturbance and/or abnormal blood test or vital signs other paraclinical information, including disorders of calcium metabolism, that, in the opinion of the investigator, may expose the patient to elevated or unnecessary risk or interfere with the interpretation of results.
12. Known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the IMP or to components of the container.
13. Infectious skin lesions on treated areas (e.g., herpes, varicella, fungal, bacterial, and parasitic skin infections, skin manifestations in relation to tuberculosis).
14. Treated skin must not be affected by perioral dermatitis, striae atrophicae, atrophic skin, fragility of skin veins, ichthyosis, acne vulgaris, acne rosacea, rosacea, ulcers, and wounds.
15. History or presence of signs or symptoms of a light dermatosis (e.g., polymorphic light eruption, juvenile spring eruption, actinic folliculitis, actinic prurigo, solar urticaria, or chronic actinic/photosensitivity dermatitis.
16. Participant has had, or is planning, a major surgery within 8 weeks prior to baseline during the study.
17. Participant has a contraindication to skin biopsies.
18. Are taking medication known to cause phototoxic reactions (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tetracyclines, or thiazides).
19. Participant is currently receiving an investigational product or device or has received one within 4 weeks prior to baseline, that in the opinion of the investigator, might interfere with the results.
20. Participant has used biologic medication 12 weeks prior to baseline visit (Day 0), or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer).
21. Use of any systemic treatment for psoriasis (such as methotrexate, immunosuppressive drugs, corticosteroids, azathioprine, or cyclosporine) within 4 weeks prior to baseline.
22. Use of any topical medication to treat psoriasis (including salicylic acid, retinoid, calcineurin inhibitors, corticosteroids, vitamin D analogue, or tar) within 2 weeks prior to baseline. Use of moisturizers and emollients are not exclusion criteria.
23. Participant had psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) treatment within 12 weeks prior to baseline.
24. Participant had any UVB phototherapy (including tanning beds) or excimer laser within 12 weeks prior to baseline.
25. Participant had excessive sun exposure within 2 weeks prior to baseline. This includes unwillingness to minimize natural and artificial sun exposure. Sunscreen products and protective apparel are recommended for circumstances when exposure cannot be avoided. Sunscreen must not be applied on the clinic visit days before the visit.
26. Participant has a history of an allergic reaction or significant sensitivity to lidocaine or other local anesthetics.
27. History of keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring in suture sites or scars.
28. Known inability or unavailability of a participant to complete required study visits during study participation.
29. A psychiatric condition (e.g., suicidal ideation) or chronic alcohol or drug abuse problem, determined from the participant's medical history, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may obstruct compliance.
30. Participant protected by the law (adult under guardianship, or hospitalized in a public or private institution for a reason other than study, or incarcerated).
31. Mental or linguistic incapacity to sign the consent form.