Clinical trial NCT01695356: Ultraviolet and UV-Visible Light Photoprotection for the Treatment of Melasma
Official title: A Double Blind Randomized Study Comparing the Ultraviolet (UV) Photoprotection With UV Plus Visible Light Photoprotection in the Treatment of Melasma.
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: PHASE4
Conditions: Melasma
Keywords: Melasma
sunscreens
visible light
ultraviolet light
Lead sponsor: Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosí
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto"
First posted: 2012-09-28
Enrollment: 68
Sex: FEMALE
Minimum age (years): 25
Maximum age (years): 60
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Melasma is an acquired discoloration of the skin characterized by brown colour changes commonly on the face. The duration of this double-blind clinical trial will be 12 weeks. The control group will receive treatment with topical Hydroquinone (4%) and a Broad spectrum UV sunscreen. The experimental group, 4% topical hydroquinone and a Broad spectrum UV-visible light sunscreen. Visible light has melanotic properties and avoiding it can be part of the treatment for melasma patients. The estimated number of subjects to be recruited and randomized for the study is at least 25 per group. The purpose of this study is determine if there is a difference in the improvement between these two sunscreens types. Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score will be assessed at the beginning of the study and at weeks 4, 8, and 12. Photographs, colorimetry and histological assessment will be also evaluated. Occurrence of adverse effects will also be recorded.

Detailed description: Melasma is a common acquired hypermelanosis in dark skin populations, usually characterized by symmetrical, irregular macules occurring in photo-exposed areas such as face. Treatment with sunscreens and depigmenting compounds such as hydroquinone, are still the gold standard in this condition.

Visible light has pigmenting properties that could be interfering with the treatment in melasma patients. So, the primary objective of this study is to compare the depigmenting adjuvant effect of using a UV-visible blocking sunscreen against a UV sunscreen.

Patients who are included in the study will be randomly assigned to receive one of the sunscreen type, which should use for 12 weeks. The sun blocking agents should be applied in the affected regions every 3 hours from 8AM to 5PM. The evaluation of clinical improvement will be done in a blinded modality by means of the MASI score, the Global Physician Assessment, as well as colorimetry and histological melanin content. Evaluations will be held on visits at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Skin biopsy will be taken at onset and at 12 weeks.

At the end of the study, data will be compared concerning the former parameters. All side effects will be recorded and analysed.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Signed informed consent
* Women over 25 years of age
* Dermatologic diagnostic of melasma
* Phototype III or more

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or breastfeeding
* Postbirth, abortion in the past 6 months
* Having an endocrine or autoimmune disease
* Under hormonal therapy of any kind including contraceptives or it´s use in the past 6 months
* Currently under treatment for melasma including sunscreens
* Currently under radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunosuppressants of any kind or phototherapy or it´s use in the past 6 months
* Having used or are consuming photosensitizing substances, oral or topical

Primary outcomes:
measure: Depigmentation of melasma lesions by Colorimetry
timeFrame: 12 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: MASI (Melasma Area Severity Index)
timeFrame: 12 weeks
measure: Melanin content by histologic quantification.
timeFrame: 12 weeks
measure: Global Physician Assessment
timeFrame: 12 weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: San Luis Potosi
country: Mexico
facility: Dermatology Department. Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto"
Study officials:
affiliation: Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto"
name: Diana Hernandez-Blanco, MD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
affiliation: Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto"
name: Juan P Castanedo-Cazares, MD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
affiliation: Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto"
name: Bertha Torres-Alvarez, MD
role: STUDY_CHAIR
References:
citation: Navarrete-Solis J, Castanedo-Cazares JP, Torres-Alvarez B, Oros-Ovalle C, Fuentes-Ahumada C, Gonzalez FJ, Martinez-Ramirez JD, Moncada B. A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial of Niacinamide 4% versus Hydroquinone 4% in the Treatment of Melasma. Dermatol Res Pract. 2011;2011:379173. doi: 10.1155/2011/379173. Epub 2011 Jul 21.
citation: Torres-Alvarez B, Mesa-Garza IG, Castanedo-Cazares JP, Fuentes-Ahumada C, Oros-Ovalle C, Navarrete-Solis J, Moncada B. Histochemical and immunohistochemical study in melasma: evidence of damage in the basal membrane. Am J Dermatopathol. 2011 May;33(3):291-5. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0b013e3181ef2d45.
citation: Moncada B, Sahagun-Sanchez LK, Torres-Alvarez B, Castanedo-Cazares JP, Martinez-Ramirez JD, Gonzalez FJ. Molecular structure and concentration of melanin in the stratum corneum of patients with melasma. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2009 Jun;25(3):159-60. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2009.00425.x.
citation: Hernandez-Barrera R, Torres-Alvarez B, Castanedo-Cazares JP, Oros-Ovalle C, Moncada B. Solar elastosis and presence of mast cells as key features in the pathogenesis of melasma. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2008 May;33(3):305-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2008.02724.x.
citation: Espinal-Perez LE, Moncada B, Castanedo-Cazares JP. A double-blind randomized trial of 5% ascorbic acid vs. 4% hydroquinone in melasma. Int J Dermatol. 2004 Aug;43(8):604-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02134.x.