Topically-administered keratinocyte growth factor-2 will not be developed for the treatment of chronic venous ulcers

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, Dec, 2003

Human Genome Sciences reported that a Phase 2 clinical trial of topically administered repifermin (keratinocyte growth factor-2, KGF-2) in adults with chronic venous ulcers did not meet its primary endpoint. Repifermin is thought to promote wound-healing by stimulating the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of epithelial cells.

Efficacy in the clinical trial was measured as the percentage of patients achieving complete wound closure within 20 weeks of treatment. The percentage of patients treated who achieved complete wound closure within the 20-week timeframe was not statistically significantly different from placebo, nor was there any favorable trend for the repifermin-treated groups. The 352-patient trial did show that the drug was well-tolerated, with side effects similar to the placebo, the company said. Another mid-stage trial of repifermin for the treatment of cancer therapy-induced mouth and throat sores is still ongoing.