A Polymer Film Device to Treat Excessive Palmar Sweating

Description

Perspiration or sweating is a normal physiological response to increased body temperature, environmental heat and humidity, emotions, nervousness, or physical exertion. Perspiration occurs when sweat is secreted from sweat glands, travels through sweat ducts and exits sweat pores to coat the skin's surface. The evaporation of sweat from the skin dissipates heat and is the primary thermoregulatory mechanism used by humans and primates. Excessive sweating beyond what is required for maintaining body temperature homeostasis is termed hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis is idiopathic affecting the palmar, plantar, axillary, or craniofacial regions bilaterally, while secondary hyperhidrosis is less common and is often a side effect of medication or an underlying pathology. Primary hyperhidrosis may affect up to 4.8% of the US population, yet it is widely underreported and undertreated. Hyperhidrosis can negatively impact daily activities, cause significant stress, limit social interactions, and reduce the quality of life for patients. In particular, excessive palmar sweating interferes with professional activities (e.g., shaking hands, working with tools, or wearing exam gloves) and degrades sports performance. Hyperhidrosis (HH) is especially difficult to treat on the hands and feet, with clinical care beginning with prescription strength topical aluminum chloride hexahydrate antiperspirants such as DrySol or Secret Clinical, and OTC products (e.g., Carpe). However, prescription strength aluminum chloride antiperspirants are often ineffective, can be irritating and leave a residue that degrades skin texture and grip. Currently, iontophoresis is the only medical device approved for treating palmar and plantar HH, but these devices are expensive (\~$1,500), uncomfortable to use and are time consuming (30 minutes sessions, 3-4 times a week for several months). Oral anticholinergic medicines such as oxybutynin are often prescribed but they have unwanted side effects including blurred vision, dry mouth, and headache. Topical anticholinergic wipes have shown promise, but they are expensive, take weeks to relieve symptoms and have unpleasant side effects in \>18% of patients. Finally, invasive procedures such as Botox™ injections and endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy are used to treat the most severe palmar/plantar HH cases but these treatments are expensive, invasive, painful and can have significant adverse effects including persistent muscle weakness and compensatory sweating. Thus, a high unmet need exists for topical treatments that are fast-acting, safe, and effective. Cyanoacrylate (CA) tissue adhesives have been used for decades to close wounds, stop bleeding, and prevent infection. CA tissue adhesives bond to the skin through Michael's addition reactions to tissue amines, forming durable but flexible films. Despite CA being used for various medical applications, no CA-based antiperspirants are currently clinically approved or commercially available. Topical cyanoacrylate (TCA) is based on medical grade cyanoacrylate adhesives with decades of demonstrated safety clinical applications. TCA is cheap to produce which will improve affordability and treatment adoption. In addition, prototypical TCA formulations eliminate surface moisture within seconds and occlude eccrine sweat pores, anticipating a strong antiperspirant effect compared to current treatments which typically reduce sweating with variable efficacy. TCA is innovative because it is fast acting (acts within seconds) and does not degrade the surface of the skin or grip function. Current hyperhidrosis treatments typically require days to weeks to achieve clinical results, have a variety of undesirable side effects, and can negatively affect the surface feel of the skin. Aside from topical antiperspirants, Botox injections and anticholinergic agents are the only drugs approved by the FDA for treating hyperhidrosis. Due to their rapid polymerization and strong adhesion and low toxicity, n-Butyl and 2-Octly cyanoacrylate are widely used in thoracic, gastrointestinal, neurologic, cardiovascular, ophthalmologic, and vascular surgery. Although n-Butyl and 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate are considered safe, allergic contact dermatitis can occur after surgical wounds closure at an incident rate of 2.7% for 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate and 2.2% for n-Butyl cyanoacrylate, but risks are presumably lower for topical application on intact glabrous skin. Thus, a significant unmet need exists for fast-acting, cheap, effective, and safe treatments that leave the skin with a desirable surface feel and improve grip security. In this pilot study described in this proposal, investigators will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a topical application of generic cyanoacrylate (TCA, equivalent to FDA cleared GluStich® medical adhesive or Marathon No Sting Liquid Skin Protectant) to inhibit palmar perspiration.

Conditions

Palmar Hyperhidrosis

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Study Overview

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Study Details

Study overview

Perspiration or sweating is a normal physiological response to increased body temperature, environmental heat and humidity, emotions, nervousness, or physical exertion. Perspiration occurs when sweat is secreted from sweat glands, travels through sweat ducts and exits sweat pores to coat the skin's surface. The evaporation of sweat from the skin dissipates heat and is the primary thermoregulatory mechanism used by humans and primates. Excessive sweating beyond what is required for maintaining body temperature homeostasis is termed hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis is idiopathic affecting the palmar, plantar, axillary, or craniofacial regions bilaterally, while secondary hyperhidrosis is less common and is often a side effect of medication or an underlying pathology. Primary hyperhidrosis may affect up to 4.8% of the US population, yet it is widely underreported and undertreated. Hyperhidrosis can negatively impact daily activities, cause significant stress, limit social interactions, and reduce the quality of life for patients. In particular, excessive palmar sweating interferes with professional activities (e.g., shaking hands, working with tools, or wearing exam gloves) and degrades sports performance. Hyperhidrosis (HH) is especially difficult to treat on the hands and feet, with clinical care beginning with prescription strength topical aluminum chloride hexahydrate antiperspirants such as DrySol or Secret Clinical, and OTC products (e.g., Carpe). However, prescription strength aluminum chloride antiperspirants are often ineffective, can be irritating and leave a residue that degrades skin texture and grip. Currently, iontophoresis is the only medical device approved for treating palmar and plantar HH, but these devices are expensive (\~$1,500), uncomfortable to use and are time consuming (30 minutes sessions, 3-4 times a week for several months). Oral anticholinergic medicines such as oxybutynin are often prescribed but they have unwanted side effects including blurred vision, dry mouth, and headache. Topical anticholinergic wipes have shown promise, but they are expensive, take weeks to relieve symptoms and have unpleasant side effects in \>18% of patients. Finally, invasive procedures such as Botox™ injections and endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy are used to treat the most severe palmar/plantar HH cases but these treatments are expensive, invasive, painful and can have significant adverse effects including persistent muscle weakness and compensatory sweating. Thus, a high unmet need exists for topical treatments that are fast-acting, safe, and effective. Cyanoacrylate (CA) tissue adhesives have been used for decades to close wounds, stop bleeding, and prevent infection. CA tissue adhesives bond to the skin through Michael's addition reactions to tissue amines, forming durable but flexible films. Despite CA being used for various medical applications, no CA-based antiperspirants are currently clinically approved or commercially available. Topical cyanoacrylate (TCA) is based on medical grade cyanoacrylate adhesives with decades of demonstrated safety clinical applications. TCA is cheap to produce which will improve affordability and treatment adoption. In addition, prototypical TCA formulations eliminate surface moisture within seconds and occlude eccrine sweat pores, anticipating a strong antiperspirant effect compared to current treatments which typically reduce sweating with variable efficacy. TCA is innovative because it is fast acting (acts within seconds) and does not degrade the surface of the skin or grip function. Current hyperhidrosis treatments typically require days to weeks to achieve clinical results, have a variety of undesirable side effects, and can negatively affect the surface feel of the skin. Aside from topical antiperspirants, Botox injections and anticholinergic agents are the only drugs approved by the FDA for treating hyperhidrosis. Due to their rapid polymerization and strong adhesion and low toxicity, n-Butyl and 2-Octly cyanoacrylate are widely used in thoracic, gastrointestinal, neurologic, cardiovascular, ophthalmologic, and vascular surgery. Although n-Butyl and 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate are considered safe, allergic contact dermatitis can occur after surgical wounds closure at an incident rate of 2.7% for 2-Octyl cyanoacrylate and 2.2% for n-Butyl cyanoacrylate, but risks are presumably lower for topical application on intact glabrous skin. Thus, a significant unmet need exists for fast-acting, cheap, effective, and safe treatments that leave the skin with a desirable surface feel and improve grip security. In this pilot study described in this proposal, investigators will evaluate the safety and efficacy of a topical application of generic cyanoacrylate (TCA, equivalent to FDA cleared GluStich® medical adhesive or Marathon No Sting Liquid Skin Protectant) to inhibit palmar perspiration.

A Pilot, Open-Label, Single Site Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Topical Cyanoacrylate Antiperspirant in Adults With Palmar Hyperhidrosis

A Polymer Film Device to Treat Excessive Palmar Sweating

Condition
Palmar Hyperhidrosis
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Bellaire

UTHealth McGovern Medical School-Houston and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital-Houston, 6500 West Loop South, Suite 200-A Texas, Bellaire, Texas, United States, 77401

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Signed informed consent.
  • 2. Age ≥ 18 years.
  • 3. Willing to comply with the protocol.
  • 4. Male or non-pregnant (negative urine pregnancy test in female subjects of child-bearing potential), non-lactating females.
  • 5. Primary palmar hyperhidrosis for at least 6 months duration.
  • 6. Average sweat severity score of ≥ 3 at Baseline. Subjects must complete at least 4 days of the sweat severity NRS within 7 days of the Baseline visit.
  • 7. HDSS of 3 or 4 at Baseline.
  • 8. If female and of childbearing potential, subject must be willing to use an accepted method of birth control during study participation and for 30 days after the last study drug application. Females are considered to be of childbearing potential unless surgically sterilized (hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, tubal ligation), have been diagnosed as infertile, have same gender sex partner, are pre-menarche or are post-menopausal for at least 1 year. Hormonal contraception exclusively for study participation may be prohibited for minor female subjects according to local law and medical practice. Acceptable methods of birth control include: abstinence, oral contraceptives, contraceptive patches/implants; injectable contraceptives, double barrier methods (e.g., condom and spermicide) or an intra-uterine device (IUD). Birth control methods must have been stable/unchanged for 12 weeks prior to baseline and must remain unchanged during study participation.
  • 9. If male, is vasectomized or agrees to use an accepted method of birth control with a female partner during study participation and for 7 days after the last study drug application.
  • 1. Subjects who have taken or are currently taking Qbrexza (glycopyrronium) 2.4% within 4 weeks of baseline
  • 2. Prior surgical procedure for hyperhidrosis.
  • 3. Iontophoresis for the palms within 4 weeks of Baseline.
  • 4. Treatment with botulinum toxin (e.g., Botox) for palmar hyperhidrosis within 6 months of Baseline.
  • 5. Subjects who are actively participating in an experimental therapy study or who received experimental therapy within 30 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) of the Baseline Visit.
  • 6. Subjects who have had a change in a regimen of psychotherapeutic medication (change in drug, dose, frequency) or who have started a psychoactive medication within two months of Baseline visit.
  • 7. Treatment with medications having systemic anticholinergic activity, centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonists (e.g., clonidine, guanabenz, methyl dopa), or beta-blockers within 4 weeks of the Baseline visit unless dosing has been stable for at least 4 months prior to Baseline and is not expected to change over the course of the study (inhaled anti-cholinergic drugs or beta agonists are allowed).
  • 8. Intravenous (IV), oral, or topical glycopyrrolate treatment or any systemic treatment with an anticholinergic medication such as atropine, belladonna, scopolamine, clindinium or hyoscyamine within 4 weeks prior to Baseline.
  • 9. Current pregnancy or lactation.
  • 10. Open wounds or inflammatory lesions on the hands or, any condition that may alter the barrier function of the skin on the hands.
  • 11. Secondary palmar hyperhidrosis or presence of a condition that may cause secondary hyperhidrosis (e.g., lymphoma, malaria, severe anxiety not controlled by medication, carcinoid syndrome, substance abuse, hyperthyroidism).
  • 12. Screening clinical chemistry or hematology laboratory (if medically necessary) value that is considered clinically significant, in the opinion of the Investigator.
  • 13. Known history of Sjogren's syndrome or Sicca syndrome.
  • 14. History of glaucoma, inflammatory bowel disease, toxic megacolon, active febrile illness, paralytic ileus, unstable cardiovascular status in acute hemorrhage, severe ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon complicating ulcerative colitis or myasthenia gravis.
  • 15. History or presence of ventricular arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter. History of other supraventricular tachycardia with a ventricular rate greater than 100 (other than sinus tachycardia).
  • 16. Subjects who are a poor medical risk because of other systemic diseases or active uncontrolled infections, or any other condition which, in the judgment of the Investigator, would put the subject at unacceptable risk for participation in the study.
  • 17. Subjects that have a known or suspected allergy to cyanoacrylates.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Miller Biosciences LLC,

Adelaide A Hebert, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, UTHealth McGovern Medical School-Houston and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital-Houston

Mark J Miller, PhD, STUDY_DIRECTOR, Miller Biosciences LLC

Study Record Dates

2025-08-31