A new study raises hopes for a potential treatment for erythromelalgia
Research project led by Erlangen Department of Dermatology launched
In the rare disease erythromelalgia, disorders in the smallest nerves and vessels in the skin lead to a painful, burning sensation. The temperature of the skin is increased and those affected by the disease suffer from swelling and redness in their feet, and more rarely also in their hands, arms, legs, ears and face. Until now there has been no effective treatment. The new EASE study (Efficacy of ATX01 Study in Erythromelalgia) hopes to change that.
Dr. Jürgen Bauerschmitz, senior physician at the Department of Dermatology at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, is in charge of the European part of the new global clinical phase II study EASE. The German study center is located at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen. The US American study center is located at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. According to Dr. Bauerschmitz, “Painful erythromelalgia flare-ups can have a severe impact on patients’ quality of life. In the Department of Dermatology at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, we see a lot of patients suffering considerably from the disease and are therefore pleased that we can drive forward clinical research into this rare disease.”
As part of the study, the first patients have already received ATX01, an active agent produced by the biotechnology company Algo Therapeutix. The effectiveness of the medicine is now being tested. ATX01 is applied externally. It is intended to block pain-conducting sodium channels, thereby soothing the at times excruciating pain of erythromelalgia. “There is currently no medication available to treat the disease. We are therefore very interested to see the results of the study, which should be available in the first half of 2024,” Dr. Bauerschmitz explains.
Further information on the project: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05917912?cond=erythomelagia&rank=1
Further information
Dr. Jürgen Bauerschmitz
Phone: +49 9131 85 35000