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Urticaria Facticia Treatment With Omalizumab (UFO)

Double-blind, Placebo-controlled 12-week, Parallel-group Study With a 6 Weeks Follow up Period to Demonstrate Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Omalizumab in Patients With Urticaria Factitia Refractory to Standard Treatment

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02169115
Acronym
UFO
Enrollment
61
Registered
2014-06-20
Start date
2012-12-31
Completion date
2014-12-31
Last updated
2020-11-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Symptomatic Dermographism

Brief summary

Urticaria is a very frequent skin condition characterized by transient wheal and flare type skin reactions associated with severe pruritus. In Europe alone, more than 5 million patients are thought to suffer from persisting urticaria symptoms, which either occur spontaneously, i.e. in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), or as a result of environmental physical stimuli such as friction, pressure, UV irradiation or cold (physical urticaria). Urticaria factitia (also known as dermographic urticaria and symptomatic dermographism) is characterized by whealing and itching following a minor stroking pressure, rubbing or scratching of the skin. The majority of patients with urticaria factitia benefits from treatment with nonsedating antihistamines. Some patients, however, do not achieve adequate symptom control even with updosing of antihistamines and may suffer from substantial quality of life impairment . Since even very minor stroking of the skin can lead to the development of wheals and severe itching, these patients are for example limited in their choice of clothing and are impaired in their social interaction and partnership. In all patients with a history of wheals after stroking of the skin, a provocation test should be performed. This can be done by stroking of the skin lightly with a smooth blunt object (e.g. the tip of a closed ball point pen or a wooden spatula) or a purpose-built instrument, known as a dermographometer. For the diagnosis of symptomatic dermographism, the smooth blunt object should be held perpendicular to the skin and should be used to apply a light stroking pressure to the skin of the upper back or volar forearm. The reaction is considered positive in patients who show a weal response and report pruritus at the site of provocation. Patients with a positive test reaction should be evaluated for individual pressure thresholds. For this purpose a provocation device (FricTest) has been developed that allows for reproducible and standardized threshold testing. Threshold testing enables physicians to assess disease severity and treatment response more precisely.

Interventions

DRUGOmalizumab

150mg, s.c., every 4 weeks

DRUGPlacebo

Placebo, s.c., every 4 weeks

Sponsors

Novartis Pharmaceuticals
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Charite University, Berlin, Germany
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Adults (18-75 years) * Informed consent signed and dated * Able to read, understand and willing to sign the informed consent form and abide with study procedures * Diagnosis of UF lasting for at least 6 months * Willing, committed and able to return for all clinic visits and complete all study-related procedures, including willingness to have SC injections administered by a qualified person * In females of childbearing potential: Negative pregnancy test; females willing to use highly effective contraception (Pearl-Index \< 1). A woman will be considered not of childbearing potential if she is post-menopausal for greater than two years or surgically sterile (bilateral tubal ligation, bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy) * No participation in other clinical trials 4 weeks before and after participation in this study

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with acute urticaria * Concurrent/ongoing treatment with immunosuppressives (e.g. systemic steroids, cyclosporine, methotrexate, dapsone or others) within 4 weeks or 5 half lives prior to day 0, whichever is longer * Significant medical condition rendering the patient immunocompromised or not suitable for a clinical trial * Significant concomitant illness that would adversely affect the subject's participation or evaluation in this study * History of malignancies within five years prior to screening other than a successfully treated non-metastatic cutaneous, basal, or squamous cell carcinoma and/or in situ cancer * Presence of clinically significant laboratory abnormalities * Lactating females or pregnant females * Subjects for whom there is concern about compliance with the protocol procedures * Any medical condition which, in the opinion of the Investigator, would interfere with participation in the study or place the subject at risk * History of substance abuse (drug or alcohol) or any other factor (e.g., serious psychiatric condition) within the last 5 years that could limit the subject's ability to comply with study procedures * Subjects who are detained officially or legally to an official institute * Previous use of omalizumab within the last 6 months * Intake of antihistamines or leukotriene antagonists within 4 days prior to visit 1 * Intake of oral corticosteroids within 14 days prior to visit 1 * Use of depot corticosteroids or chronic systemic corticosteroids within 21 days before beginning of the study * Known hypersensitivity to any ingredients, including excipients (sucrose, histidine, polysorbate 20) of the study medication or drugs related to omalizumab (e.g.: monoclonal antibodies, polyclonal gammaglobulin)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Provocation Thresholds From Baseline to Day 70 in Urticaria Factitia Patients After Treatment With Omalizumab Compared to Placebo70 daysPatients receive provocation test by FricTest (standardized stroking of the skin). FricTest ratings are from 0 (no wheal development to the longest pin) to 4 (wheal development to all four pins). The development of wheals within 30 minutes after provocation is monitored.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
To Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients on Number of Symptom Free Days70 daysChange in number of symptom free days as assessed by a patient diary from baseline to day 70 after treatment with omalizumab compared to placebo
To Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients on Physician Global Assessment of Disease Severity70 daysChange in physician global assessment of disease severity assessed by visual analogue scale by a physician from baseline to day 70 after treatment with omalizumab compared to placebo. VAS are measuring instruments designed to document the characteristics of disease-related symptom severity in individual patients. The scale ranges from a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 10. The higher the score, the worse the outcome.
To Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in Urticaria Factitia Patients on Quality of Life70 daysChange in quality of life scores assessed by Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and UF specific life quality questions from baseline to day 70 after treatment with omalizumab compared to placebo. The DLQI is calculated by summing the score of each question resulting in a maximum of 30 and a minimum of 0. The higher the score, the more quality of life is impaired. The DLQI can also be expressed as a percantage of the maximum possible score of 30.
To Assess Long-term Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients112 daysTo assess long-term effects of omalizumab in UF patients, change in friction thresholds from day 70 (week 10) to day 112 (week 16) will be assessed
Number of Participants With Serious Adverse Events and Adverse Events112 daysSafety of patients treated with omalizumab: This includes physical examination, routine safety laboratory assessments, vital signs and adverse event reporting
To Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients on Patient Global Assessment of Disease Severity70 daysChange in patient global assessment of disease severity assessed by visual analogue scale by the patient from baseline to day 70 after treatment with omalizumab compared to placebo. VAS are measuring instruments designed to document the characteristics of disease-related symptom severity in individual patients. The scale ranges from a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 10. The higher the score, the worse the outcome.

Countries

Germany

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Omalizumab 150mg
Omalizumab: 150mg, s.c., every 4 weeks
19
Omalizumab 300mg
Omalizumab: 300mg, s.c., every 4 weeks
21
Placebo
Placebo: Placebo, s.c., every 4 weeks
21
Total61

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicOmalizumab 150mgOmalizumab 300mgPlaceboTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
19 Participants21 Participants21 Participants61 Participants
Region of Enrollment
Germany
19 participants21 participants21 participants61 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
13 Participants9 Participants12 Participants34 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
6 Participants12 Participants9 Participants27 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
18 / 1915 / 2118 / 21
serious
Total, serious adverse events
1 / 191 / 211 / 21

Outcome results

Primary

Change in Provocation Thresholds From Baseline to Day 70 in Urticaria Factitia Patients After Treatment With Omalizumab Compared to Placebo

Patients receive provocation test by FricTest (standardized stroking of the skin). FricTest ratings are from 0 (no wheal development to the longest pin) to 4 (wheal development to all four pins). The development of wheals within 30 minutes after provocation is monitored.

Time frame: 70 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Omalizumab 150mgChange in Provocation Thresholds From Baseline to Day 70 in Urticaria Factitia Patients After Treatment With Omalizumab Compared to Placebo-1.8 wheal development up to four pinsStandard Deviation 1.7
Omalizumab 300mgChange in Provocation Thresholds From Baseline to Day 70 in Urticaria Factitia Patients After Treatment With Omalizumab Compared to Placebo-2.0 wheal development up to four pinsStandard Deviation 1.8
PlaceboChange in Provocation Thresholds From Baseline to Day 70 in Urticaria Factitia Patients After Treatment With Omalizumab Compared to Placebo-0.6 wheal development up to four pinsStandard Deviation 1.4
p-value: 0.05ANOVA
p-value: 0.005ANOVA
Secondary

Number of Participants With Serious Adverse Events and Adverse Events

Safety of patients treated with omalizumab: This includes physical examination, routine safety laboratory assessments, vital signs and adverse event reporting

Time frame: 112 days

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Omalizumab 150mgNumber of Participants With Serious Adverse Events and Adverse EventsPatients with serious adverse events1 Participants
Omalizumab 150mgNumber of Participants With Serious Adverse Events and Adverse EventsPatients with adverse events17 Participants
Omalizumab 300mgNumber of Participants With Serious Adverse Events and Adverse EventsPatients with serious adverse events1 Participants
Omalizumab 300mgNumber of Participants With Serious Adverse Events and Adverse EventsPatients with adverse events17 Participants
PlaceboNumber of Participants With Serious Adverse Events and Adverse EventsPatients with serious adverse events1 Participants
PlaceboNumber of Participants With Serious Adverse Events and Adverse EventsPatients with adverse events19 Participants
Secondary

To Assess Long-term Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients

To assess long-term effects of omalizumab in UF patients, change in friction thresholds from day 70 (week 10) to day 112 (week 16) will be assessed

Time frame: 112 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Omalizumab 150mgTo Assess Long-term Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients-1.0556 Fric Test gradesStandard Deviation 1.39209
Omalizumab 300mgTo Assess Long-term Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients-0.8421 Fric Test gradesStandard Deviation 1.7721
PlaceboTo Assess Long-term Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients-0.8333 Fric Test gradesStandard Deviation 1.50489
Secondary

To Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients on Number of Symptom Free Days

Change in number of symptom free days as assessed by a patient diary from baseline to day 70 after treatment with omalizumab compared to placebo

Time frame: 70 days

Population: Data were not collected.

Secondary

To Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients on Patient Global Assessment of Disease Severity

Change in patient global assessment of disease severity assessed by visual analogue scale by the patient from baseline to day 70 after treatment with omalizumab compared to placebo. VAS are measuring instruments designed to document the characteristics of disease-related symptom severity in individual patients. The scale ranges from a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 10. The higher the score, the worse the outcome.

Time frame: 70 days

Population: Data were not collected.

Secondary

To Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients on Physician Global Assessment of Disease Severity

Change in physician global assessment of disease severity assessed by visual analogue scale by a physician from baseline to day 70 after treatment with omalizumab compared to placebo. VAS are measuring instruments designed to document the characteristics of disease-related symptom severity in individual patients. The scale ranges from a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 10. The higher the score, the worse the outcome.

Time frame: 70 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Omalizumab 150mgTo Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients on Physician Global Assessment of Disease Severity21.8 units on a sclaeStandard Error 3.63
Omalizumab 300mgTo Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients on Physician Global Assessment of Disease Severity28.33 units on a sclaeStandard Error 6.23
PlaceboTo Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in UF Patients on Physician Global Assessment of Disease Severity40.32 units on a sclaeStandard Error 6.162
Secondary

To Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in Urticaria Factitia Patients on Quality of Life

Change in quality of life scores assessed by Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and UF specific life quality questions from baseline to day 70 after treatment with omalizumab compared to placebo. The DLQI is calculated by summing the score of each question resulting in a maximum of 30 and a minimum of 0. The higher the score, the more quality of life is impaired. The DLQI can also be expressed as a percantage of the maximum possible score of 30.

Time frame: 70 days

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Omalizumab 150mgTo Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in Urticaria Factitia Patients on Quality of Life-6.611 Dermatology quality of life scoreStandard Error 1.234
Omalizumab 300mgTo Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in Urticaria Factitia Patients on Quality of Life-5.579 Dermatology quality of life scoreStandard Error 1.478
PlaceboTo Assess the Effects of Omalizumab in Urticaria Factitia Patients on Quality of Life-2.316 Dermatology quality of life scoreStandard Error 0.949

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026