Journal Article

Harmonized clinical trial methodologies for localized cutaneous leishmaniasis and potential for extensive network with capacities for clinical evaluation

Grout, Lise, Pascale, Juan Miguel, Cisse, Mamoudou, Mokni, Mourad, Ozbel, Yusuf, Gore Saravia, Nancy, Erber, Astrid C., Khamesipour, Ali, Arana, Byron, Llanos-Cuentas, Alejandro, Romero, Gustavo, Carvalho, Edgar M., Zerpa, Olga, Chebli, Houda, Gadisa, Endalamaw, Rizzo Molina, Nidia, Rode, Joelle, Handjani, Farhad, López Carvajal, Liliana, Vélez, Ivan Dario, Diro, Ermias, Grogl, Max, Lmimouni, Badre Eddine, Uzun, Soner, Fernandes Cota, Gláucia, Nahzat, Mohammad Sami, Mashayekhi, Vahid, Soto, Jaime, Ruiz-Postigo, José Antonio, Boni, Marina, Ben Salah, Afif, Vogt, Florian, Olliaro, Piero

2018

Overview

Progress with the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been hampered by inconsistent methodologies used to assess treatment effects. A sizable number of trials conducted over the years has generated only weak evidence backing current treatment recommendations, as shown by systematic reviews on old-world and new-world CL (OWCL and NWCL). Using a previously published guidance paper on CL treatment trial methodology as the reference, consensus was sought on key parameters including core eligibility and outcome measures, among OWCL (7 countries, 10 trial sites) and NWCL (7 countries, 11 trial sites) during two separate meetings. Findings and level of consensus within and between OWCL and NWCL sites are presented and discussed. In addition, CL trial site characteristics and capacities are summarized. The consensus reached allows standardization of future clinical research across OWCL and NWCL sites. We encourage CL researchers to adopt and adapt as required the proposed parameters and outcomes in their future trials and provide feedback on their experience. The expertise afforded between the two sets of clinical sites provides the basis for a powerful consortium with potential for extensive, standardized assessment of interventions for CL and faster approval of candidate treatments.

• Publisher: Public Library of Science,Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subject: Analysis / Antiprotozoal Agents - therapeutic use / Biology and Life Sciences / Care and treatment / Clinical trials / Clinical Trials as Topic - standards / Consortia / Countries / Cutaneous leishmaniasis / Dermatology / Diagnosis / Drugs / Evaluation / Hospitals / Humans / Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - drug therapy / Life Sciences / Literature reviews / Medicine / Medicine and Health Sciences / Methods / Microbiology and Parasitology / Parameters / Parasitic diseases / People and places / Polymerase chain reaction / Researchers / Standardization / Standardizing / Systematic review / Treatment Outcome / Tropical diseases / Vector-borne diseases