Efficacy and Safety of Acyclovir-penciclovir Cream Versus an Abreva in the Suppression of Herpes Simplex Virus Eruptions

Summary

This will be a randomized, efficacy assessor-blinded, parallel group, pilot study of up to 40 subjects with documented herpes labialis. Patients will be treated with the study drug, acyclovir-penciclovir cream, or the active comparator of Abreva. Potential subjects will be assessed during a screening visit that must take place no greater than 2 weeks prior to the Day 1 (Baseline) visit. During the screening period, subjects that meet all other entry criteria will undergo Ultraviolet susceptibility testing to determine the subject's individual minimal erythema dose (MED). Ultraviolet susceptibility testing takes place over two days with exposure to Ultraviolet light on specified regions on the subject's back followed by an assessment of the exposed areas 24 hours later to identify the MED. Subjects who have a measurable MED will be allowed to enroll in the study. Each subject will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either acyclovir-penciclovir cream or Comparator (Abreva). Patients who express a cold sore will track the lesion with a diary card to rate their pain levels, and any unusual symptoms at Day 1, Day 3, Day 5, Day 7, and Day 10. Patients may also take photographs of the lesion throughout the study.

Timeline

Start

2024-08-19

Primary completion

2025-11-30

Completion

2025-11-30

Publications

• Background Cheshenko N, Trepanier JB, Gonzalez PA, Eugenin EA, Jacobs WR Jr, Herold BC. Herpes simplex virus type 2 glycoprotein H interacts with integrin alphavbeta3 to facilitate viral entry and calcium signaling in human genital tract epithelial cells. J Virol. 2014 Sep 1;88(17):10026-38. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00725-14. Epub 2014 Jun 18.
• Background Evans TG, Bernstein DI, Raborn GW, Harmenberg J, Kowalski J, Spruance SL. Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of topical 5% acyclovir-1% hydrocortisone cream (ME-609) for treatment of UV radiation-induced herpes labialis. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2002 Jun;46(6):1870-4. doi: 10.1128/AAC.46.6.1870-1874.2002.
• Background Hunsperger EA, Wilcox CL. Capsaicin-induced reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus type 1 in sensory neurons in culture. J Gen Virol. 2003 May;84(Pt 5):1071-1078. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.18828-0.
• Background Jensen LA, Hoehns JD, Squires CL. Oral antivirals for the acute treatment of recurrent herpes labialis. Ann Pharmacother. 2004 Apr;38(4):705-9. doi: 10.1345/aph.1D285. Epub 2004 Feb 13.
• Background Raborn GW, Grace MG. Recurrent herpes simplex labialis: selected therapeutic options. J Can Dent Assoc. 2003 Sep;69(8):498-503.
• Background Spruance SL. The natural history of recurrent oral-facial herpes simplex virus infection. Semin Dermatol. 1992 Sep;11(3):200-6.
• Background Spruance SL, Rowe NH, Raborn GW, Thibodeau EA, D'Ambrosio JA, Bernstein DI. Peroral famciclovir in the treatment of experimental ultraviolet radiation-induced herpes simplex labialis: A double-blind, dose-ranging, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. J Infect Dis. 1999 Feb;179(2):303-10. doi: 10.1086/314605.
• Background Spruance SL, McKeough MB. Combination treatment with famciclovir and a topical corticosteroid gel versus famciclovir alone for experimental ultraviolet radiation-induced herpes simplex labialis: a pilot study. J Infect Dis. 2000 Jun;181(6):1906-10. doi: 10.1086/315528. Epub 2000 May 31.

Drugs

Indications