The Division of Dermatology has a broad approach and longtime dedication to clinical research. We participate in a variety of clinical trials and work with industry partners as well as collaborative and independent investigator-led studies. Pediatric Dermatology is a small subspecialty of dermatology. Due to the lack of available treatments for various pediatric skin conditions, we need more research in this area. Our research team seeks to identify cutting-edge treatments for both rare and common skin disorders to improve patients’ symptoms, disease severity and quality of life.

There are a limited number of treatments for common childhood inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, and a desperate need for new and safe medications to improve the lives of our children and their families. Our research investigators and research nurse have over 15 years of experience conducting clinical trials that study a range of conditions, from common skin issues, such as eczema and psoriasis, to rare skin diseases, such as epidermolysis bullosa.

Rare Disease/Genetic Skin Disease 
(Epidermolysis Bullosa and Tuberous Sclerosis)

Phoenix Children’s is one of only a handful of children’s hospitals in the country with a designated multidisciplinary Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) Clinic. Clinical trials are essential to our mission of comprehensive EB care. This allows our local and regional populations living with EB to participate in groundbreaking trials. We strive to bring treatments to market that may aim to cure or modify this debilitating and potentially life-limiting genetic skin disease. Our ultimate goal is to find a cure for EB in children and adults.

This EB stem cell infusion study is the first of its kind at Phoenix Children’s. Very few sites worldwide are participating in this clinical trial.

EASE was a double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled, phase III study to determine the efficacy and safety of the topical gel Oleogel-S10 the first therapy to demonstrate accelerated wound healing in EB.

Phoenix Children’s dermatologist and researcher Harper Price, MD, contributed to a consensus guideline that presents evidence-based recommendations for providing palliative healthcare to ease suffering and improve the quality of life for people with EB.

This survey study examined provider practices and perspectives on the transition of care in patients with EB from pediatric to adult healthcare.

This study developed consensus-based best practices for hands-on inpatient management of neonatal and postnatal EB in connection with the EB Clinical Research Consortium.

Common Childhood Inflammatory Skin Diseases (Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis and Vitiligo)

Inflammatory skin diseases are common. They can cause physical and emotional symptoms as well as other associated medical conditions. Recent scientific advances in the understanding of inflammation in the skin have led to an exciting pipeline of new therapeutic options for childhood skin disease and FDA-approved treatment options.

The main purpose of this study is to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of lebrikizumab in participants 6 Months to <18 years of age with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

This study will last about 68 weeks and may include up to 16 planned visits. If participating in the optional extension as well, the study will last approximately 1 additional year for a total of up to 116 weeks and may include up to 29 scheduled visits.

Additional Research

Investigators at Phoenix Children’s perform industry-sponsored clinical trials and their own research studies. They collaborate with other research organizations and leading children’s hospitals and institutions on topics including:

  • Pediatric skin cancer and sun safety in transplant patients
  • Atopic dermatitis in skin of color patients – how skin rashes may look different, how to treat these rashes, how they respond to conventional therapies, and risk factors for more severe disease
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and skin findings – reasons pediatric IBD patients may see the dermatologist, what skin problems may be related to IBD and how to treat them, and quality of life for patients living with IBD and skin problems

Find a Research Study

Patients and families can use the Find a Research Study tool or speak with their child’s doctor to learn about enrollment in current and upcoming clinical research studies at Phoenix Children’s.

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