Preliminary Study of Safety and Efficacy of Nanocrystalline Silver Cream in Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2004-04-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Nanocrystalline silver (very small particles of silver) is the active ingredient in Acticoat
dressings, which have been approved for the treatment of burns and other wounds. Silver has
been used for decades as an effective antimicrobial agent. In animal studies, nanocrystalline
silver cream (NPI) has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, nanocrystalline
silver cream is being evaluated in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as
atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Approximately 180 study subjects with a definitive diagnosis of mild to moderate eczema will
be enrolled in this study. Subjects will be randomly assigned to treatment with placebo, 0.5%
NPI or 1% NPI for the 6-week treatment period. Assessments of treatment effect and safety
will be performed weekly. Upon completion of the study, subjects may be eligible for 12 weeks
of open-label treatment with 1% NPI.