Dermatology Clinical Trials

The Department of Dermatology is currently involved in several clinical trials and registry studies. If you are interested in participating or learning more about any of the following studies, please contact us via phone, email, or the contact form below. All studies are available at no cost to the patient, and participants are paid a stipend for their time.

Active Studies

Atopic dermatitis – systemic treatment

We are looking for patients 12 to 65 years old with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (covering at least 10% of the body) who have failed at least one systemic treatment. This phase 3b/4 open-label study will be comparing two FDA approved systemic treatments for atopic dermatitis. All participants will be receiving one of these two medications. Participants cannot have any prior exposure to dupilumab, tralokinumab, lebrikizumab, or any oral or topical JAK inhibitor.

Atopic dermatitis – systemic treatment

We are looking for patients 18 and older with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (covering at least 10% of the body) for a phase 3 study with an investigational injectable medication. Participants need to have a history of inadequate response to topical steroid and not have received dupilumab or other biologic treatments for atopic dermatitis within the past 12 weeks.

Atopic dermatitis – itching

We are looking for patients 18 to 80 years old with at least 6 weeks of inadequately controlled pruritus/itching from atopic dermatitis for a study with an investigational oral medication. Participants cannot have received dupilumab or other biologic treatments for atopic dermatitis within the past 24 weeks.

Atopic dermatitis – sleep disturbance

We are looking for patients 18 and older with sleep disturbance from atopic dermatitis for a phase 4 study with a topical medication that is currently FDA approved for atopic dermatitis. Participants need to have at least a 2-year history of atopic dermatitis, pruritus/itching for at least 3 months, and not be working nighttime shifts. All participants will receive the study medication.

Psoriasis – scalp involvement

We are looking for patients 18 and older with psoriasis involving the scalp and at least 3% of the body who have failed at least one topical treatment. This phase 3b/4 study will be investigating the efficacy and safety of an oral medication currently FDA-approved for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis – pediatric

We are looking for patients 6 to 17 years old with moderate to severe psoriasis (covering at least 10% of the body) for a study with a biologic medication currently FDA approved for treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in adults.

Psoriasis – registry

We are looking for patients 18 and older with a diagnosis of psoriasis who are currently on or about to start taking a systemic biologic treatment for psoriasis. Registry studies do not provide any medications, but they do help us better understand the psoriasis disease process and various treatments.

Bullous pemphigoid

We are looking for patients 18 and older with bullous pemphigoid confirmed by biopsy for a phase 2/3 study with an investigational medication.

Alopecia areata – systemic treatment

We are looking for patients 18 to 65 years old with alopecia areata affecting at least 50% of the scalp for a phase 2 study with an oral medication. Participants need to have a documented clinical history of alopecia areata for at least 6 months and not exceeding 8 years.

Alopecia areata – topical treatment

We are looking for patients 18 to 70 years old with alopecia areata affecting 40% to 75% of the scalp for a phase 1b study with a novel topical medication. Participants need to have a history of alopecia areata for at least 1 year and not exceeding 10 years.

Distal subungual onychomycosis (Toenail fungus)

We are looking for patients 12 to 75 years old with distal subungual onychomycosis (toenail fungus) involving 20% to 60% of at least one of the great toenails for a study with a topical solution. Participants cannot be using any topical antifungal medication on the toenails within 6 weeks before the first visit or any systemic antifungal treatment within 6 months.

Prurigo Nodularis

We are looking for patients 18 and older with at least a 3 month history of prurigo nodularis for a phase 3 study with a topical medication. Participants need to have at least two body sites involved and a total of at least 6 pruriginous lesions.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa

We are looking for patients 18 and older with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa for a phase 3 study of an injectable IL-17a inhibitor. Participants need to have a diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa for at least 6 months and have involvement of two or more body sites.

Skin Photoaging

We are looking for healthy patients 30 to 70 years old without any chronic skin-related illness who are able to donate two skin tissue biopsy samples for a research study examining skin change due to sun damage and aging. This study will not provide any medications/treatments but will help us increase knowledge and possible technological advancement on skin photoaging.

Contact Us About Participating in a Clinical Trial

• Call: 412-647-2013
• E-mail: dermtrials@upmc.edu
• Online: complete the Department of Dermatology Clinical Trials contact form

A member of our team will be in touch with you within two business days.

Researchers

Laura K. Ferris, MD, PhD, Director of Clinical Trials and Professor of Dermatology, UPMC
Dr. Ferris earned her doctorate in immunology from Johns Hopkins University and her medical degree from the University of Maryland. She completed her residency in dermatology at UPMC and currently sees patients in Oakland and Harmarville.

Additional research staff:

• Emily Clark, PA-C, Sub-Investigator
• Timothy J. Patton, DO, Sub-Investigator
• Charity Ruhl, LPN, Study Coordinator
• Megan Sullivan, BS, Study Coordinator
• Joe K. Tung, MD, MBA, Sub-Investigator

Locations

Falk Medical Building
Fifth Floor
3601 Fifth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-647-2013 Phone
412-647-4832 Fax