Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of BF-200 ALA for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis With Photodynamic Therapy

A Randomized, Observer Blind, Multinational Phase III Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of a Nanoemulsion Gel Formulation BF-200 ALA, in Comparison With Metvix® and Placebo, for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis With PDT

The aim of the study is to evaluate the non-inferiority of BF-200 ALA (Ameluz) in the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK) with photodynamic therapy (PDT) compared to Metvix.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Actinic Keratosis
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: BF-200 ALA; Drug: MAL Cream; Drug: Vehicle

Detailed Description

This was a randomized, observer-blind, multinational, comparator and placebo-controlled parallel group, (3:3:1 ratio) study to compare the efficacy and safety of BF-200 ALA with the comparator Metvix® (methyl-[5-amino-4-oxopentanoate]) and placebo, for the treatment of AK with PDT.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 571
• Phase: Phase 3

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 85 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Main Inclusion Criteria:

• Written informed consent.
• Men and women between 18 and 85 years of age.
• 4-8 AK lesions of 0.5 to 1.5 cm diameter of mild to moderate intensity (Olsen grade 1 and 2) in the face and/or on the bald scalp. Lesions on the eyes, nostrils, ears and mouth were not considered for treatment during the planned study.
• Target AK lesions were to be discrete and quantifiable; adjacent AK lesions were to show a minimum distance of 1.0 cm from one another.
• Confirmation of AK by biopsy taken at screening.
• Free of significant physical abnormalities (e.g., tattoos, dermatoses) in the potential treatment region that could have caused difficulty with examination or final evaluation.
• Willingness to stop the use of moisturizers and any other topical treatments within the treatment region.
• Good general health condition.
• Healthy subjects and subjects with clinically stable medical conditions including, but not limited to the following diseases (controlled hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, hypercholesterolemia, osteoarthritis) were permitted to be included in the study if the medication taken for the treatment of the disease did not match an exclusion criterion or was not specified as prohibited concomitant medication.
• No extensive sunbathing or solarium use during the trial.
• Negative pregnancy test at screening.

Main exclusion criteria:

• Known hypersensitivity to BF-200 ALA, MAL (methyl-aminolevulinic acid) and/or any of the ingredients of the formulations
• Clinically significant medical conditions (tumor disease etc.) making implementation of the protocol or interpretation of the study results difficult
• Presence of photodermatoses
• Presence of other tumors in the treatment areas within the last 4 weeks
• Start of treatment with phototoxic or photoallergic drugs within 8 weeks prior to screening
• Current treatment with immunosuppression therapy
• Hypersensitivity to porphyrins
• Presence of porphyria
• Presence of inherited or acquired coagulation defect
• Any topical treatment within the treatment area within 12 weeks before PDT1 (first PDT Treatment)
• Topical treatment with ALA or MAL outside the treatment area during participation in the study
• None of the specified systemic treatments within the designated period before PDT1

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: BF-200 ALA; Topical application of BF-200 ALA gel containing 78 mg/g 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). Application of a 1 mm thick layer covering each lesion and a 0.5 cm to 1 cm surrounding margin.	Drug: BF-200 ALA; topical treatment for photodynamic therapy combining drug application and after a 3 h incubation subsequent illumination with a broad or narrow spectrum light source.; Other Names: Ameluz
Active Comparator: MAL Cream; Topical application of MAL cream (Metvix) containing 160 mg/g methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL). Application of a 1 mm thick layer covering each lesion and a 0.5 cm to 1 cm surrounding margin.	Drug: MAL Cream; topical treatment for photodynamic therapy combining drug application and after a 3 h incubation subsequent illumination with a broad or narrow spectrum light source.; Other Names: Metvix; Metvixia
Placebo Comparator: Vehicle; Topical application of matched Placebo to BF-200 ALA gel (without containing active ingredient) ). Application of a 1 mm thick layer covering each lesion and a 0.5 cm to 1 cm surrounding margin.	Drug: Vehicle; topical treatment for photodynamic therapy combining vehicle application and after a 3 h incubation subsequent illumination with a broad or narrow spectrum light source.; Other Names: matched placebo to BF-200 ALA gel

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Percentage of Participants With Complete Response 12 Weeks After the Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), ITT	An overall complete responder was defined as a subject in whom all treated lesions were cleared (all lesions showing complete remission) 12 weeks after the last PDT. The outcome measure considered complete responders who were completely cleared 12 weeks after the first PDT and responders who were completely cleared 12 weeks after the second PDT if a re-treatment was necessary (in case of partial- or non-responding lesions 12 weeks after the first PDT)	12 weeks after the last PDT, up to 24 weeks after the first treatment
Percentage of Participants With Complete Response 12 Weeks After the Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), PP	An overall complete responder was defined as a subject in whom all treated lesions were cleared (all lesions showing complete remission) 12 weeks after the last PDT. The outcome measure considered complete responders who were completely cleared 12 weeks after the first PDT and responders who were completely cleared 12 weeks after the second PDT if a re-treatment was necessary (in case of partial- or non-responding lesions 12 weeks after the first PDT)	12 weeks after the last PDT, up to 24 weeks after the first treatment
Percentage of Participants With Complete Response 12 Weeks After the Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Illuminated With Narrow Spectrum Devices Only	Subgroup analysis of patients treated with a narrow spectrum device for PDT Illumination (~630 nm). An overall complete responder was defined as a subject in whom all treated lesions were cleared (all lesions showing complete remission) 12 weeks after the last PDT. The outcome measure considered complete responders who were completely cleared 12 weeks after the first PDT and responders who were completely cleared 12 weeks after the second PDT if a re-treatment was necessary (in case of partial- or non-responding lesions 12 weeks after the first PDT)	12 weeks after the last PDT, up to 24 weeks after the first treatment

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Percentage of Participants With Complete Response 3-4 Weeks After First Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	A complete responder was defined as a subject in whom all treated lesions were cleared (all lesions showing complete remission) at 3-4 weeks after the first PDT.	3-4 weeks after the first PDT
Percentage of Participants With Complete Response 12 Weeks After First Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	A complete responder was defined as a subject in whom all treated lesions were cleared (all lesions showing complete remission) at 12 weeks after the first PDT.	12 weeks after the first PDT
Percentage of Participants With Complete Response 3-4 Weeks After the Second Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	A complete responder was defined as a subject in whom all treated lesions were cleared (all lesions showing complete remission) at 3-4 weeks after the second PDT. A second PDT was applied in case partial- or non-responding lesions remained 12 weeks after the first PDT.	3-4 weeks after the second PDT, 15-16 weeks after first treatment
Percentage of Participants With Complete Response 12 Weeks After Second Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	A complete responder was defined as a subject in whom all treated lesions were cleared (all lesions showing complete remission) at 12 weeks after the second PDT. A second PDT was applied in case partial- or non-responding lesions remained 12 weeks after the first PDT.	12 weeks after the second PDT, 24 weeks after first treatment
Percentage of Participants With Complete Response 3-4 Weeks After Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	A complete responder at week 3-4 after treatment was defined as a subject in whom all treated lesions were cleared (all lesions showing complete remission). This outcome measure considered patients who were completely cleared at 3-4 weeks after the last PDT which included complete responders 3-4 weeks after the first and complete responders 3-4 weeks after the second PDT ( a second PDT was applied in case of remaining lesions 12 weeks after the first PDT).	3-4 weeks after the last PDT, up to 16 weeks after the first treatment
Percentage of Participants With Partial Response at 3-4 Weeks After First Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	A partial responder was defined as a subject in whom at least 75% of the treated lesions were cleared (lesions showing complete remission). This outcome measure considers partial responders at 3-4 weeks after the first PDT.	3-4 weeks after the first PDT
Percentage of Participants With Partial Response at 12 Weeks After the First Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	A partial responder was defined as a subject in whom at least 75% of the treated lesions were cleared (lesions showing complete remission). This outcome measure considers partial responders at 12 weeks after the first PDT.	12 weeks after the first PDT
Percentage of Participants With Partial Response at 3-4 Weeks After the Second Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	A partial responder was defined as a subject in whom at least 75% of the treated lesions were cleared (lesions showing complete remission). This outcome measure considers partial responders at 3-4 weeks after the second PDT. A second PDT was applied in case of partial- or non-responding lesions 12 weeks after the first PDT.	3-4 weeks after the second PDT, 15-16 weeks after first treatment
Percentage of Participants With Partial Response at 12 Weeks After the Second Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	A partial responder was defined as a subject in whom at least 75% of the treated lesions were cleared (lesions showing complete remission). This outcome measure considers partial responders at 12 weeks after the second PDT. A second PDT was applied in case of partial- or non-responding lesions 12 weeks after the first PDT.	12 weeks after the second PDT, 24 weeks after first treatment
Percentage of Participants With Partial Response at 3-4 Weeks After Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	A partial responder was defined as a subject in whom at least 75% of the treated lesions were cleared (lesions showing complete remission). This outcome measure considers partial responders at 3-4 weeks after last PDT. The outcome measure combined partial responders with at least 75% of lesions cleared at 3-4 weeks after the first PDT or after the second PDT (a second PDT was applied in case of partial- or non-responding lesions 12 weeks after the first PDT).	3-4 weeks after the last PDT, up to 16 weeks after the first treatment
Percentage of Participants With Partial Response at 12 Weeks After Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	A partial responder was defined as a subject in whom at least 75% of the treated lesions were cleared (lesions showing complete remission). This outcome measure considers partial responders at 12 weeks after last PDT. The outcome measure combined partial responders with at least 75% of lesions cleared at 12 weeks after the first PDT and after the second PDT (a second PDT was applied in case of partial- or non-responding lesions 12 weeks after the first PDT) .	12 weeks after the last PDT, up to 24 weeks after first treatment
Complete Lesion Response Rate 3-4 Weeks After First Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	Completely cleared individual lesions as defined at 3-4 weeks after first photodynamic therapy (PDT)	3-4 weeks after the first PDT
Complete Lesion Response Rate 12 Weeks After First Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	Completely cleared individual lesions as defined at 12 weeks after the first photodynamic therapy (PDT).	12 weeks after the first PDT
Complete Lesion Response Rate 3-4 Weeks After the Second Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	Completely cleared individual lesions as defined at 3-4 weeks after the second PDT. A second PDT was applied in case the individual lesion showed no or partial response12 weeks after first PDT.	3-4 weeks after the second PDT, 15-16 weeks after first treatment
Complete Lesion Response Rate 12 Weeks After Second PDT	Completely cleared individual lesions as defined at 12 weeks after second PDT. A second PDT was applied in case the individual lesion showed no or partial response 12 weeks after first PDT.	12 weeks after the second PDT, 24 weeks after first treatment
Complete Lesion Response Rate 3-4 Weeks After Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	Completely cleared individual lesions defined at 3-4 weeks after the last PDT comprising of completely cleared individual lesions 3-4 weeks after the first and after the second PDT (a second PDT was applied in case lesions show no or partial response 12 weeks after the first PDT).	3-4 weeks after the last PDT, up to 16 weeks after first treatment
Complete Lesion Response Rate 12 Weeks After Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	Completely cleared individual lesions 12 weeks after last PDT comprising of completely cleared individual lesions 12 weeks after the first or second PDT (a second PDT was applied in case individual lesions show no or partial response 12 weeks after first PDT).	12 weeks after the last PDT, up to 24 weeks after first treatment
Complete Lesion Response Rates 12 Weeks After Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Illuminated With Narrow Spectrum Devices Only	Completely cleared individual lesions 12 weeks after last PDT comprising of individual cleared lesions 12 weeks after the first or second PDT. A second PDT was applied in case individual lesion showed no or partial response 12 weeks after the first PDT. Lesions were illuminated during photodynamic therapy with narrow spectrum devices only (~630 nm).	up to 12 weeks after the last PDT, up to 24 weeks after first treatment
Change From Baseline in Total Lesion Area 3-4 Weeks After the First Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	Percentage of change from baseline in the lesion area of all treated lesions per subject (summation of sizes of all treated lesions) assessed at 3-4 weeks after the first PDT.	3-4 weeks after the first PDT
Change From Baseline in Total Lesion Area 12 Weeks After the First Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	the change from baseline in the lesion area of all treated lesions per subject (summation of sizes of all treated lesions) assessed 12 weeks after the first PDT.	12 weeks after the first PDT
Change From Baseline in Total Lesion Area 3-4 Weeks After the Second Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	the change from baseline in the lesion area of all treated lesions per subject (summation of sizes of all treated lesions) assessed 3-4 weeks after the second PDT. A second PDT was applied in case of non or partially responding lesions 12 weeks after first PDT.	3-4 weeks after the second PDT, 15-16 weeks after first treatment
Change From Baseline in Total Lesion Area 12 Weeks After Second Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	the change from baseline in the lesion area of all treated lesions per subject (summation of sizes of all treated lesions) assessed 12 weeks after the second PDT. A second PDT was applied in case of non- or partially responding lesions 12 weeks after first PDT.	12 weeks after the second PDT, 24 after first treatment
Change From Baseline in Total Lesion Area 3-4 Weeks After Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	the change from baseline in the lesion area of all treated lesions per subject (summation of sizes of all treated lesions) assessed at 3-4 weeks after last PDT, combining the changes from baseline in total lesion area of subjects 3-4 weeks after first PDT and second PDT (a second PDT was applied for subjects who showed non- or partially responding lesions 12 weeks after the first PDT).	3-4 weeks after the last PDT, up to 16 weeks after the first treatment
Change From Baseline in Total Lesion Area 12 Weeks After Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)	the change from baseline in the lesion area of all treated lesions per subject (summation of sizes of all treated lesions) assessed at 12 weeks after last PDT, combining the changes from baseline in total lesion area at 12 weeks after the first PDT and at 12 weeks after the second PDT (a second PDT was applied to subjects with non- or partially responding lesions 12 weeks after the first PDT).	12 weeks after the last PDT, up to 24 weeks after the first treatment
Overall Cosmetic Outcome of the Treated Skin 12 Weeks After Last Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Compared to Baseline	The cosmetic outcome 12 weeks after the last PDT (12 weeks after 1st PDT for subjects who are completely cleared at this time point, 12 weeks after 2nd PDT for subjects retreated due to remaining lesions 12 weeks after 1st PDT) will be calculated on the basis of the skin quality assessment (skin surface, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, mottled or irregular pigmentation, degree of scarring, and atrophy) upon visual examination (scale: 0= none, 1= mild, 2= moderate, 3=severe). The cosmetic outcome is rated as very good if the sum score of the previously mentioned ratings (all ratings for each sign added up) has improved by at least 2 points as compared to baseline; as good if the sum score has improved by at least 1 point as compared to baseline; as satisfactory if the sum score is identical to the one at baseline; as unsatisfactory if the sum score has worsened by 1 point compared to baseline and as impaired if the sum score has worsened by at least 2 points compared to baseline.	12 weeks after the last PDT, up to 24 weeks after first treatment
Local Skin Reactions During First Photodynamic Therapy (PDT-1)	Local skin reactions in the treatment area as assessed by the investigator during the first PDT (PDT-1)	during PDT treatment [3 h - 4 h ]
Local Skin Reactions During Second Photodynamic Therapy (PDT-2) for Retreated Subjects	Local skin reactions in the treatment area as assessed by the investigator during PDT-2; only applicable for subjects who were retreated with a second PDT due to remaining lesions 12 weeks after the first PDT (subjects with data).	during PDT treatment [3 h - 4 h ]
Local Discomfort During First Photodynamic Therapy (PDT-1)	Local discomfort reported by the patients during Illumination of first PDT (PDT1)	during PDT treatment [3 h - 4 h ]
Local Discomfort During Second Photodynamic Therapy (PDT-2) for Retreated Subjects	Local discomfort reported by the patients during Illumination phase of retreatment (PDT-2); only applicable for subjects who received a retreatment (PDT-2) due to remaining lesions 12 weeks after the first treatment (PDT-1) (subjects with data)	during PDT treatment [3 h - 4 h ]
Local Discomfort - Pain During First Photodynamic Therapy (PDT-1)	Pain (11-point numeric rating scale) by PDT Session; Overall (If both areas have been treated, maximum intensity over both areas is used for analysis.) Patients assessed the pain experienced during PDT using an 11-point numeric rating pain scale (NRPS) ranging from 0 (no pain at all) to 10 (worst possible pain). This score reflects the patient's maximum pain during PDT. This outcome measure shows pain score after the first PDT.	during PDT treatment [3 h - 4 h ]
Local Discomfort - Pain During Second Photodynamic Therapy (PDT-2) for Retreated Subjects	Pain (11-point numeric rating scale) by PDT Session; Overall (If both areas have been treated, maximum intensity over both areas is used for analysis.) Patients assessed the pain experienced during PDT using an 11-point numeric rating pain scale (NRPS) ranging from 0 (no pain at all) to 10 (worst possible pain). This score reflects the patient's maximum pain during PDT. Only applicable for subjects who received a retreatment (PDT-2) due to remaining lesions 12 weeks after the first treatment (PDT-1) (subjects with data)	during PDT treatment [3 h - 4 h ]
Adverse Reactions	Adverse reactions are Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events considered at least possibly related to the treatment with the randomized investigational medicinal products; Adverse reactions are shown with a frequency cut off of >=5%. TEAEs are considered from subjects who received only one PDT or subjects who received 2 PDTs (initial Treatment (PDT-1) and retreatment (PDT-2) due to remaining lesions 12 weeks after first photodynamic therapy. The safety set consists of all patients treated at least once with investigational product. Treatment with investigational product consists of application of study drug followed by illumination. This excludes one patient from the safety set; for this patient the investigational product was applied on the skin but it was not illuminated. Patients are treated according to actual treatment.	up to 12 weeks after the last PDT, up to 24 weeks after first treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Biofrontera Bioscience GmbH
• Collaborators: Accovion GmbH
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Thomas Dirschka, Prof. Dr., Akademische Lehrpraxis der Universität Witten-Herdecke Heinz-Fangman-Straße 57 42287 Wuppertal

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Dirschka T, Radny P, Dominicus R, Mensing H, Bruning H, Jenne L, Karl L, Sebastian M, Oster-Schmidt C, Klovekorn W, Reinhold U, Tanner M, Grone D, Deichmann M, Simon M, Hubinger F, Hofbauer G, Krahn-Senftleben G, Borrosch F, Reich K, Berking C, Wolf P, Lehmann P, Moers-Carpi M, Honigsmann H, Wernicke-Panten K, Helwig C, Foguet M, Schmitz B, Lubbert H, Szeimies RM; AK-CT002 Study Group. Photodynamic therapy with BF-200 ALA for the treatment of actinic keratosis: results of a multicentre, randomized, observer-blind phase III study in comparison with a registered methyl-5-aminolaevulinate cream and placebo. Br J Dermatol. 2012 Jan;166(1):137-46. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10613.x. Epub 2011 Dec 21.
• Dirschka T, Radny P, Dominicus R, Mensing H, Bruning H, Jenne L, Karl L, Sebastian M, Oster-Schmidt C, Klovekorn W, Reinhold U, Tanner M, Grone D, Deichmann M, Simon M, Hubinger F, Hofbauer G, Krahn-Senftleben G, Borrosch F, Reich K, Berking C, Wolf P, Lehmann P, Moers-Carpi M, Honigsmann H, Wernicke-Panten K, Hahn S, Pabst G, Voss D, Foguet M, Schmitz B, Lubbert H, Szeimies RM; AK-CT002 Study Group; AK-CT003 Study Group. Long-term (6 and 12 months) follow-up of two prospective, randomized, controlled phase III trials of photodynamic therapy with BF-200 ALA and methyl aminolaevulinate for the treatment of actinic keratosis. Br J Dermatol. 2013 Apr;168(4):825-36. doi: 10.1111/bjd.12158.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: April 1, 2008
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 1, 2009
• Study Completion (Actual): August 1, 2009

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 26, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 9, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): June 14, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 28, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 28, 2017
• Last Verified: March 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Skin Diseases; Neoplasms; Precancerous Conditions; Keratosis, Actinic; Keratosis; Photosensitizing Agents; Dermatologic Agents; Aminolevulinic Acid
• Other Study ID Numbers: ALA-AK-CT002

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO