About this trial
This phase I, open-label, single-arm, non-randomized clinical trial uses a "3+3" dose-escalation design to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of intradermal delivery of complement factor H (CFH) fragment (human, 860-1231aa) via ice microneedles for the prevention of radiation-induced skin fibrosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (excluding nasopharyngeal carcinoma) receiving postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. The main questions are: 1. The safety profile, including dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) within 28 days after the first dose, adverse events, and tolerability. 2.Preliminary efficacy, assessed by changes in irradiated skin thickness, palpation of fibrotic area, CTCAE grade ≤2 fibrosis rate, and quality of life. Participants receive CFH ice microneedle patches twice weekly for a total of 8 doses (starting at 0.5 mg, escalating to 1.0 mg and 2.0 mg), applied to the skin area to be irradiated.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Male or female patients aged 18 to 75 years (inclusive) at screening.
Histologically confirmed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (excluding nasopharyngeal carcinoma) scheduled to receive postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy.
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score of 0-2.
Ability to understand and voluntarily sign a written informed consent form prior to any study procedures.
Disqualifiers
Presence of ulceration or open wound in the treatment area, or any contraindication to cutaneous administration including: Inflammation, trauma, or skin breakdown at the administration site; Severe bleeding or coagulation tendency (e.g., markedly low platelet or clotting factors); Any abnormality or permanent body art (e.g., tattoo) at the administration site that would interfere with observation of local reactions;
Presence of connective tissue disease or other systemic dermatologic conditions (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, systemic sclerosis, scleroderma, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, etc.).
Known allergy to the investigational drug (including any excipients) or history of severe allergic reactions to any drug, food, or vaccine, such as anaphylactic shock, laryngeal edema, anaphylactic dyspnea, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, thrombocytopenic purpura, or Arthus reaction.
Any uncontrolled clinical disease (e.g., respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous, hematologic, genitourinary, or endocrine system disease) or psychiatric disorder (e.g., depression, schizophrenia) that, in the investigator's judgment, would interfere with providing informed consent, interpretation of study results, pose additional risk to the patient, or otherwise compromise study objectives.
Trial design
Sequential
Treatments tested in this trial
CFH Protein-loaded Ice Microneedles (0.5 mg)
Biological/VaccineRecombinant human CFH protein delivered intradermally via ice microneedle patches at a total dose of 0.5 mg per administration, twice weekly for a total of 8 doses, starting on the first day of radiotherapy.
CFH Protein-loaded Ice Microneedles (1.0 mg)
Biological/VaccineRecombinant human CFH protein delivered intradermally via ice microneedle patches at a total dose of 1.0 mg per administration, twice weekly for a total of 8 doses, starting on the first day of radiotherapy.
CFH Protein-loaded Ice Microneedles (2.0 mg)
Biological/VaccineRecombinant human CFH protein delivered intradermally via ice microneedle patches at a total dose of 2.0 mg per administration, twice weekly for a total of 8 doses, starting on the first day of radiotherapy.
Treatment groups
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
Incidence of Dose-Limiting Toxicities (DLTs)
Number of participants experiencing DLT within 28 days after the first dose of CFH protein delivered via ice microneedles.
Incidence and Severity of Adverse Events (AEs)
Number of participants with adverse events, graded according to NCI CTCAE v5.0.
Secondary outcomes
Change in Irradiated Skin Thickness
Change in skin thickness of the irradiated area measured by ultrasound.
Change in Palpable Fibrotic Area (Surface Area and Volume)
Change in surface area (length × width) and volume (surface area × thickness) of palpable skin fibrosis in the irradiated area.
Number of Participants with CTCAE Grade ≤2 Fibrosis
Number of participants who develop radiation-induced skin fibrosis of grade ≤2 according to NCI CTCAE v5.0.
Change in Skindex Life Quality Index (SQLI) score-16
Change in QoL scores assessed by SQLI-16 questionnaires. Minimum Value:0 Maximum Value:100 Higher Score Means:Worse outcome (higher score indicates greater impairment of quality of life)
Sponsors and contacts
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