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Photodynamic TherapyHerpesNCT04037475

Treatment of Herpes Labialis by Photodynamic Therapy

A study testing photodynamic therapy herpes labialis in people with Photodynamic Therapy and Herpes Simplex, Labial, run by University of Nove de Julho at 1 site in Brazil.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

Lesions of herpes labialis are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and cause pain and aesthetic compromise. It is characterized by the formation of small vesicles that coalesce and rupture forming extremely painful ulcers, that evolve to crusts, dry desquamations until their complete remission. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 12 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Photodynamic Therapy, Herpes Simplex, Labial
What is being tested?
photodynamic therapy herpes labialis
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
24 participants
Where
1 siteBrazil
Study dates
1 Jan 2020to 15 Oct 2023
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 12 to 60 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Child, Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Patients of both sex,
  • with no predilection for race or socioeconomic status,
  • negative medical history

Who cannot join

  • Patients with a herpes infection in the dry desquamation stage will be excluded.
  • Participants in continuous use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and continued corticosteroid therapy for less than 1 week.
  • Diabetic participants, smokers
  • who need immunosuppressants,
  • pregnant women and/or nursing mothers.
  • HIV positive,
  • hepatitis B or C.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Brazil1 site
  • Anna Carolina R.T. Horliana

    São Paulo, São Paulo, 11030-480

Other trials in Brazil

About this study

Official title: Treatment of Herpes Labialis by Photodynamic Therapy: Controlled, Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind Protocol Study

Lesions of herpes labialis are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and cause pain and aesthetic compromise. It is characterized by the formation of small vesicles that coalesce and rupture forming extremely painful ulcers, that evolve to crusts, dry desquamations until their complete remission. Currently, the treatment of these lesions is done with acyclovir. Although it diminishes the symptomatology, it causes viral resistance and does not prevent the recurrence of the lesions. It is known that photodynamic therapy (PDT) has numerous advantages, among them: the reduction of the time of remission, and does not cause resistance.

A total of 30 patients with herpes labialis in the prodromal stage of vesicles, ulcers, and crusts will be selected to participate in the study and randomized into two groups: G1 control and G2 experimental. After signing informed consent, patients in group G1 will undergo the standard gold treatment for cold sores with acyclovir and simulated PDT treatment. Patients in the experimental G2 group will be treated simulating the gold standard treatment of herpes labialis (placebo) and PDT.

Read the detailed description

Lesions of herpes labialis are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and cause pain and aesthetic compromise. It is characterized by the formation of small vesicles that coalesce and rupture forming extremely painful ulcers, that evolve to crusts, dry desquamations until their complete remission. Currently, the treatment of these lesions is done with acyclovir. Although it diminishes the symptomatology, it causes viral resistance and does not prevent the recurrence of the lesions. It is known that photodynamic therapy (PDT) has numerous advantages, among them: the reduction of the time of remission, and does not cause resistance.

Materials and methods: A total of 30 patients with herpes labialis in the prodromal stage of vesicles, ulcers, and crusts will be selected to participate in the study and randomized into two groups: G1 control and G2 experimental. After signing TCLE and TA, patients in group G1 will undergo the standard gold treatment for cold sores with acyclovir and simulated PDT treatment. Patients in the experimental G2 group will be treated simulating the gold standard treatment of herpes labialis (placebo) and PDT. In all patients will be collected saliva samples for analysis of cytokines, and will be performed exfoliative cytology in the lesions. The pain will be assessed through a pain scale and a questionnaire of quality of life-related to oral health (Ohip- 14) will be given to them. Patients will continue to be followed up after 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year and, if there is a recurrence of the lesion, they will contact the researchers.

Being tested
photodynamic therapy herpes labialis
Keywords
photodynamic therapy, herpes labialis, herpes simplex, laser
Medical subject headings
Herpes Labialis, Herpes Simplex

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • photodynamic therapy herpes labialisDevice

    Patients will receive Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), irradiations will be performed with the Laser Duo® red laser diode (MMOptics, São Carlos, SP, Brazil) with a wavelength of 660 nm, with a power of 100 mW, the energy density of 300 J / cm², with energy of 3 J in the center of the lesion for 30 seconds. The laser will be positioned in direct contact with the lesion, perpendicular, applied centrally to each isolated lesion that presents with fixed energy per point of 3J. Wash in abundance with saline solution until the removal of the photosensitizer is complete. All treatment proposed in group 1 (simulation of PDT + delivery of aciclovir cream) in each patient will be concluded in a single session. Treatment for group 2 (PDT + placebo cream) will also be completed in a single session. All possible adverse effects will be noted and qualified during the treatment protocol and maintenance period (3/3 months) using the questionnaire developed for this protocol.

Study groups in NCT04037475
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Control (placebo)Placebo comparatorThe patients will receive an agent with the same vehicle as methylene blue to mimic irrigation with the photosensitizer and the laser will be switched off at the time of application. The placebo PDT procedures will be performed on the lesion: Application of methylene blue placebo with a carpule syringe and needle (with stop and without bevel) inside the lesions; 1 minute of pre-irradiation will be expected. The irradiations will be performed with the same device positioned in the same way and at the same time of application, however, the laser will be turned off. The beep sound will be recorded and turned on during application to blind treatment to the patient. The patient will receive a catheter with acyclovir cream and will be advised to spread on the lesions four times a day for 7 days, which will be their return for reevaluation. It will be washed in abundance with saline (saline solution) until the total removal of the placebo from the photosensitizer.
Receives: Device: photodynamic therapy herpes labialis
experimental groupExperimentalPatients will be treated with photodynamic therapy and will receive a placebo ointment simulating acyclovir cream. If the lesions are in the vesicle phase, they will be ruptured with a sterile needle. The methylene blue solution at 0.005% concentration will be gently placed on the lesions. Application of methylene blue on the lesions.1 minute of pre-irradiation will be expected. The irradiations will be performed with the Laser Duo® with a wavelength of 660 nm, with a power of 100 mW(milliwatts), the energy density of 300 J / cm², with the energy of 3 J (joules) in the center of the lesion for 30 seconds. The laser will be positioned in direct contact with the lesion, perpendicular, applied centrally to each lesion with energy per point of 3J. Wash in abundance with saline solution until the removal of the photosensitizer is complete. Patients will receive a tube with a placebo cream simulating aciclovir and the same will be advised to spread the cream 4 times per day for 7 days.
Receives: Device: photodynamic therapy herpes labialis

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Evaluation of the resolution time of the lesions

    Evaluation of the resolution time of the lesions in days (primary objective of the study). For this, a 15-day follow-up will be performed for this variable.The complete resolution will be accompanied by photos and telephone contact and noted in a specific clinical file. For this, a 1-year follow-up will be performed for this variable. The location of the lesions through sextants on the lips (sextants 1, 2 and 3 to upper left to right and sextants 4,5 and 6 from right to left, with sextant 2 in the labial filter region and sextant 5 is its lower lip antagonist.

    Measured: through study completion on average of one year

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Evaluate if the amount of HSV-1 decreases after treatment with PDT

    by qPCR (polymerase reaction ) at the baseline (T0), 3 (T1) and 7 (T2).HSV lesion secretion samples will be collected at 1 single site in the central portion of the lesion with sterile swab after treatment of all HSV lesions. They will be stored in 500 μl of Tris-EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) in tubes of 1 , 5ml for microcentrifuge (Eppendorff®). During the collection period (in the clinic) the samples will be stored on ice inside a styrofoam. These samples will be properly identified and stored at -80ºC (centigrades) (freezer from the UNINOVE University nove de Julho Biophotonics Laboratory) until further analysis.

    Measured: through study completion on average of three years

  2. evaluation of saliva cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor) and IL-10 (interleukine)

    by ELISA method in non-stimulated saliva in the baseline (T0), 3 (T1) and 7 T2) and 30 days after treatment (T3).Samples of unstimulated saliva (2 ml) will be collected in 50 ml tubes (Falcon tube). In the laboratory 500 μl of pure saliva will be added to 500 μl TE (tris-EDTA), and stored at -80 ° C (freezer from the UNINOVE Biophotonics laboratory).

    Measured: through study completion on average of three years

  3. presence of pain: visual analog scale

    verify the pain by visual analog scale at baseline (T0), 3 (T1) and 7 (T2) and 30 days after treatment (T3).Will be assessed by applying the visual analogue scale (EVA) with a line of 100 mm, with both ends closed. One end has the indication "0" and the other "10" which means respectively no pain and unbearable pain. Instructions for marking will always be given to the patient by the same operator. Each patient will be instructed to mark with a vertical trace the point that best corresponds to the intensity of pain at the time of evaluation

    Measured: through study completion on average of three years

  4. Oral health impact profile (Ohip-14)

    This questionnaire is a simplified form of the original OHIP-49 questionnaire, the Ohip-14, and will be used to assess the impact of oral health on the quality of life of the research participants. The Ohip-14 is used to measure perceived needs. It measures the impact of oral changes on oral health related quality of life. The patient responds to 14 questions by assigning to his answers the values 0 (never), 1 (almost never), 2 (sometimes), 3 (most of the time) and 4 (always)

    Measured: through study completion on average of three years

  5. Temperature

    The temperature will be measured at the site of the lesion (at its central point) and at its side (healthy skin 2 cm from the edge of the lesion). The local measurement will be measured using the Safety 1st® digital thermometer (Safety 1st®, "No Touch Forehead", Columbus, USA

    Measured: through study completion on average of three years

  6. evaluation of HSL lesions cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor) and IL-10 (interleukine)

    by ELISA method in HSL lesions in the baseline (T0), 3 (T1) and 7 T2) and 30 days after treatment (T3).Samples of unstimulated saliva (2 ml) will be collected in 50 ml tubes (Falcon tube). In the laboratory 500 μl of pure saliva will be added to 500 μl TE (tris-EDTA), and stored at -80 ° C (freezer from the UNINOVE Biophotonics laboratory).

    Measured: through study completion on average of three years

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted30 Jul 2019
  2. Study start1 Jan 2020
  3. Primary completion30 Oct 2022
  4. Study completion15 Oct 2023

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
24 individuals will be randomly divided into 2 groups: G1 (control group) - conventional treatment with acyclovir and simulation of treatment with photodynamic therapy; G2 (experimental group) - photodynamic therapy placebo ointment simulating acyclovir cream.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
24 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04037475
Sponsor's protocol ID
Herpes
Acronym
Herpes
Status last verified
Nov 2023
First submitted
24 Jul 2019
Last updated
21 Nov 2023
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Ramalho KM, Rocha RG, Correa-Aranha AC, Cunha SR, Simoes A, Campos L, Eduardo Cde P. Treatment of herpes simplex labialis in macule and vesicle phases with photodynamic therapy. Report of two cases. Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther. 2015 Jun;12(2):321-3. doi: 10.1016/j.pdpdt.2015.02.005. Epub 2015 Mar 10. No abstract available.

    PubMed 25770054
  • Marotti J, Aranha AC, Eduardo Cde P, Ribeiro MS. Photodynamic therapy can be effective as a treatment for herpes simplex labialis. Photomed Laser Surg. 2009 Apr;27(2):357-63. doi: 10.1089/pho.2008.2268.

    PubMed 19382840
  • Palmieri M, Ornaghi M, Martins VAO, Correa L, Brandao TB, Ribeiro ACDP, Sumita LM, Tozetto-Mendoza TR, Pannuti CS, Braz-Silva PH. Oral shedding of human herpesviruses in patients undergoing radiotherapy/chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is not affected by xerostomia. J Oral Microbiol. 2018 May 28;10(1):1476643. doi: 10.1080/20002297.2018.1476643. eCollection 2018.

    PubMed 29868164
  • La Selva A, Bezerra DT, Zerbinati RM, Goncalves MLL, Navarro RS, Bello-Silva MS, Ando-Suguimoto ES, Aranha ACC, Braz-Silva PH, Ramalho KM, Motta LJ, Fernandes KPS, Bussadori SK, Mesquita-Ferrari RA, Frochot C, Horliana ACRT. Herpes Simplex Treated With Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy: Randomized Controlled Trial. J Oral Pathol Med. 2025 Aug;54(7):547-555. doi: 10.1111/jop.13647. Epub 2025 Jun 8.

    PubMed 40485092
  • La Selva A, Negreiros RM, Bezerra DT, Rosa EP, Pavesi VCS, Navarro RS, Bello-Silva MS, Ramalho KM, Aranha ACC, Braz-Silva PH, Fernandes KPS, Bussadori SK, Horliana ACRT. Treatment of herpes labialis by photodynamic therapy: Study protocol clinical trial (SPIRIT compliant). Medicine (Baltimore). 2020 Mar;99(12):e19500. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000019500.

    PubMed 32195950

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing photodynamic therapy herpes labialis in people with Photodynamic Therapy and Herpes Simplex, Labial, run by University of Nove de Julho at 1 site in Brazil.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Nov 2023. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Brazil. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Evaluation of the resolution time of the lesions (time frame: through study completion on average of one year). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04037475, which also lists 5 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 21 Nov 2023.

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