Friendly bacteria gel could tame eczema flares
NCT ID NCT06504160
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This early-stage trial is testing whether a gel containing beneficial bacteria (Staphylococcus hominis A9) can safely control eczema flares. About 86 adults and children aged 6 and older will apply the gel or a placebo twice daily for 14 weeks, along with a short course of steroid cream. The goal is to see if the bacteria help keep eczema under control longer after steroids are stopped.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Staphylococcus hominis A9 (ShA9) bacteria in a topical gel
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new way to manage eczema by using friendly bacteria to prevent flares, reducing the need for steroids.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early Phase 1 trial with only 86 participants, so results are preliminary. The gel may not work better than placebo, and there could be skin reactions or other side effects.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 86 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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May 2025
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government research agency
The lead sponsor is the US National Institutes of Health.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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6 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: Each individual must meet all of the following criteria at Screening to be eligible for enrollment as a study participant: 1. Participant and/or parent/legal guardian must be able to understand and provide informed consent and assent (if applicable). 2. Male or female participant 6 years of age or older. 3. Meet ADRN Standard Diagnostic Criteria for active AD. Each individual must meet all of the following criteria at Baseline to be eligible for enrollment as a study participant: 4. Have at least 7 cm2 of lesional skin within the upper extremities, lower extremities, and/or trunk. Lesions on the face, neck, hands, feet, and intertriginous areas do not count toward the required area, as samples may not be taken from these areas. The required area may be one contiguous area or may be comprised of multiple areas with a compliant total area. 5. Have at least 3% body surface area of AD involvement as indicated by derived total area of involvement score during SCORAD assessment. 6. Have an IGA score of two or greater. 7. Each potential participant who can become pregnant must meet either of the following criteria prior to randomization to be eligible for enrollment as a study participant. 1. Willing to remain abstinent from intercourse that may result in a pregnancy. 2. Willing to use an FDA-approved method of contraception for the duration of study participation. Acceptable methods include the following: * Permanent sterilization of partner * Long-acting reversible contraceptives (e.g., intrauterine devices or systems, implantable rods, contraceptive injections) when used as directed for at least 7 days prior to Baseline. * Short-acting hormonal contraceptives (e.g., oral contraceptive pills, patch, vaginal ring) when used as directed for at least 30 days prior to Baseline * Barrier methods (e.g., condoms; diaphragm, sponge, or cervical cap with spermicide) 8. Have obtained negative pregnancy test results during both the Screening and Baseline Visits. Exclusion Criteria: Individuals who meet any of the following criteria at Screening or Baseline are not eligible for enrollment as study participants: 1. Inability or unwillingness to give written informed consent or comply with study protocol. 2. Has self-reported as pregnant or lactating during the Screening or Baseline Visit, or is pregnant as indicated by a positive pregnancy test result obtained at the Screening or Baseline Visit. 3. Sensitivity to or difficulty tolerating Dove® fragrance-free bar soap, Cetaphil® lotion, alcohol-based cleaners, clobetasol and fluocinonide ointments, triamcinolone ointment, hydrocortisone ointment, glycerol, hydroxyethylcellulose or soy products. 4. Known recalcitrance to topical steroids, including class 1 steroids, within 6 months of the Screening Visit. 5. History of serious life-threatening reaction to tape or adhesives. 6. Known allergy to all antibiotics to which S. hominis A9 is sensitive. These include ampicillin-sulbactam, cefazolin, cefoxitin, clindamycin, daptomycin, doxycycline, levofloxacin, linezolid, minocycline, moxifloxacin, mupirocin, nitrofurantoin, oxacillin, rifampin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and vancomycin. 7. Has a major defect in the epidermal barrier such as open wounds or genodermatoses (e.g., Netherton's syndrome). 8. Is immunocompromised (e.g., Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome) or has an immune system disorder (e.g., autoimmune disease). 9. Has current malignant disease (except non-melanoma skin cancer in an area not affected by treatment). 10. Has a history of psychiatric disease or history of alcohol or drug abuse that, in the opinion of the study investigator, would interfere with the ability to comply with the study protocol. 11. Ongoing participation in another investigational trial or use of investigational drugs within 8 weeks, or five half-lives (if known), whichever is longer, of the Screening Visit. 12. Treatment with non-steroid systemic immunosuppressant within 6 months of the Screening Visit. 13. Treatment with any biologic, including dupilumab, within 16 weeks of the Screening Visit. 14. Treatment with oral or injectable therapy for AD (excluding oral steroids) within five half-lives (if known) or 16 weeks before the Screening Visit, whichever is longer. 15. Treatment with oral retinoids (e.g., isotretinoin) within 60 days of the Screening Visit. 16. Treatment with allergen immunotherapy within 30 days of Screening Visit. 17. Has close contacts (e.g., spouse, children, or members in the same household) who have severe barrier defects or are immunocompromised. 18. May, in the opinion of the investigator, have difficulty tolerating the medication washout requirements for topical AD treatments, prescription moisturizers, antibiotics, oral steroid therapies, and phototherapy ahead of Baseline. 19. Past or current medical conditions or findings from physical examination or laboratory testing that are not listed above, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may pose additional risks from participation in the study, may interfere with the participant's ability to comply with study requirements or that may impact the quality or interpretation of the data obtained from the study. Individuals who meet any of the following criteria at Baseline are not eligible for enrollment as study participants: 20. Have more than 30% body surface area of AD involvement, as indicated by the derived total area of involvement score during SCORAD assessment. 21. Active bacterial, viral, or fungal skin infections, except for onychomycosis and tinea pedis. 22. Any noticeable breaks or cracks in the skin on the target areas of investigational product application, including severely excoriated skin or skin with open or weeping wounds suggestive of an active infection. a. At the investigator's discretion, participants with minor breaks, cracks, or excoriations on body areas not eligible for sampling during the trial may be enrolled, provided there is no evidence of infection and investigational product is not applied to these areas until healed. 23. Use of topical AD treatments - including steroids and calcineurin inhibitors - on the upper extremities (exclusive of the hands), lower extremities (exclusive of the feet), or trunk within seven days of the Baseline Visit. 24. Treatment with prescription moisturizers classified as medical device (e.g., Atopiclair®, MimyX®, Epiceram®, etc.) on the upper extremities (exclusive of the hands), lower extremities (exclusive of the feet), or trunk within seven days of the Baseline Visit. 25. Use of any systemic microbialª within fourteen days of the Baseline Visit, or use of any topical antimicrobial on the upper extremities (exclusive of the hands), lower extremities (exclusive of the feet), or trunk within fourteen days of the Baseline Visit. a. Antimicrobials include antibiotics, antifungals, antiparasitics, and antivirals. Certain systemic antivirals that do not exhibit systemic anti-inflammatory effects may be permitted with prior approval from a protocol co-chair). 26. Within the upper extremities (exclusive of the hands), lower extremities (exclusive of the feet), and trunk, use of topical products - prescription or over-the-counter, all formulations - not specified per protocol, within seven days of the Baseline Visit. 27. Use of systemic corticosteroid therapies for any indication within 28 days of the Baseline Visit. 28. Use of systemic corticosteroid therapies for treatment of an asthma exacerbation within 3 months of the Baseline Visit. 29. Require a dose greater than 880 mcg/day of fluticasone propionate or equivalent inhaled corticosteroid to maintain asthma control, at the time of the Baseline Visit. 30. Any phototherapy for skin disease (such as narrow band ultraviolet B \[NBUVB\], ultraviolet B \[UVB\], ultraviolet A1 \[UVA1\], psoralen + UVA \[PUVA\]) or regular use (more than 2 visits per week) of a tanning bed within 28 days of the Baseline Visit.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
7 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center: Asthma Center
RECRUITINGCincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States
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Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: Department of Pediatrics Allergy & Immunology
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10029, United States
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National Jewish Health: Division of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology
RECRUITINGDenver, Colorado, 80206, United States
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New York University Langone Health: Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
TERMINATEDNew York, New York, 10016, United States
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Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine: Department of Dermatology
RECRUITINGChicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
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University of California, San Diego: Dermatology Clinical Trials Unit
RECRUITINGSan Diego, California, 92093, United States
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University of Rochester Medical Center: Department of Dermatology
RECRUITINGRochester, New York, 10029, United States
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University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health: Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology
RECRUITINGMadison, Wisconsin, 53792, United States
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