A research project to measure how safe and effective benralizumab is in treating participants with bullous pemphigoid (BP).

Currently recruiting

About this study

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a rare, autoimmune skin condition characterised by blistering and itch. Many patients who have BP require treatment with topical steroids while others may require tablets, injections or infusions.

The investigational drug for this study is called benralizumab and is given as an injection into the skin.

Anticipated enrolment close date: Ongoing

Contact the Dermatology Research Team for more information.

Contact us to find out more about this research study, quoting reference number 2020.307

Who can take part

Inclusion criteria

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Diagnosis of BP clinically and based on skin biopsy and blood test

Exclusion criteria

  • Other forms of BP including drug-related BP (new currents or exacerbation from certain medication)
  • Any disorder, including, but not limited to, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal (kidney), neurological, musculoskeletal, infectious, endocrine, metabolic, haematological, psychiatric, or major physical impairment that is not stable
  • Current cancer or history of cancer

What's involved

  • 36-week treatment period followed by 40-week extension (total 76 weeks) with an injection every four weeks
  • Blood tests
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Vital signs
  • Photography
  • Skin biopsy
Person handling test tubes for research

Ethics

All research in Australia involving human participants is reviewed by an independent group called a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The ethical aspects of this research study have been approved by the Royal Melbourne Hospital HREC.

This study is being carried out according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). This statement protects the interests of people who agree to participate in human research studies.

Diabetes and Endocrinology research nurse with patient in Clinical Trials Centre
About clinical trials

We need clinical trials to prove that new treatments are safe and effective for people to use. They are essential to the discovery of new medications and devices, neither of which can be approved for use in Australia without clinical trials.