Clinical Research Directory

Self-Assembled Skin Substitute for the Treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa

Single patient study. Patient diagnosed with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa presenting chronic open wounds that are not responding to dressings, topical preparations (antimicrobials, antibiotics) and systemic agents (anti-inflammatory antibacterials). The Self-Assembled Skin Substitutes will be used to cover wounds.

Artificial Intelligence Patient App for RDEB SCCs

In this study, an artificial intelligence model to detect squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) on photos of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) skin is developed. The ultimate goal is to integrate this model into an app for patients and physicians, to help detect SCCs in RDEB early. SCCs which rapidly metastasize are the main cause of death in adults with RDEB. The earlier an SCC is recognized, the easier it can be removed and the better the outcome. AI leverages computer science to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence and has recently been used to identify skin cancers based on images. We are currently developing an AI approach for early detection of SCC and distinction of malignancy from chronic wounds and other RDEB skin findings. The aim is to create a web application for patients with RDEB to upload images of their skin and get an output as to SCC present/ no SCC. This will be especially valuable for patients with difficult access to medical expertise and those who are hesitant to allow full skin examination at each visit, often because of fear of biopsies. Thus, this project will directly benefit patients by allowing early recognition of SCCs and will empower patients and their families by providing a home use tool. So far, the study team has mainly used professional images (photographs taken in hospital settings by physicians, nurses, and clinical photographers) of both SCCs in RDEB and images of RDEB skin without SCC to develop and train the AI model. The images that are expected in a real-life setting will mostly be pictures taken by patients or family members with their phones or digital cameras. These images have different properties regarding resolution, focus, lighting, and backgrounds. Incorporating such images will be crucial in the upcoming phases of model development-testing and validation-for the web application be a success for patients.

A Natural History Study of Corneal Abrasions in Patients With Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (DEB)

This study is a non-interventional, observational study that will evaluate the natural history of corneal abrasions in patients with Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (DEB).

Characteristics of Patients With Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a disease caused by genetic mutations in the gene for type VII collagen. Patients with RDEB develop large, severely painful blisters and open wounds from minor trauma to their skin. We are screening subjects with RDEB to evaluate characteristics of the subjects and their cells in order to develop new strategies of therapy and determine whether subjects could be candidates for treatment studies.

Study of the Blood and Skin Immunological Profile of Patients With Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa: in Vivo Analysis and the Impact of Placental Stem Cells in Vitro

Patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) suffer from acute and chronic post-bullous wounds along with impaired skin healing. These issues are attributed not only to mucocutaneous fragility and abnormal healing directly related to quantitative and/or qualitative constitutional abnormalities of collagen VII but also to a contingent cutaneous and systemic inflammatory component. This inflammatory aspect contributes to the perpetuation of skin lesions and delayed healing. Our primary objective is to define the systemic immunological/inflammatory signature of patients with RDEB with an aim to develop a strategy that involves using stem cells with high immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory capacity such as allogeneic placental stem cells (WJ-MSCs and trophoblasts).