Tampa dermatologist leads clinical trials for eczema patients

TAMPA, Fla. - April 19, 2016 - PRLog -- People who suffer from moderate to extreme eczema have a potential opportunity to join two new clinical trials to try an investigational anti-inflammatory drug. The trials are currently underway at Forward Clinical Trials, which is based in Tampa, Fla.

"We're enrolling people in the trial who have moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, or eczema," said Seth Forman, M.D., principal investigator of Forward Clinical Trials who is leading the study. Eczema affects about 10 to 20 percent of infants and about three percent of adults and children in the U.S. Those who suffer from the condition know the struggles-patches of swollen, scaly skin that bloom bright red, cause fierce itching, and then bleed when scratched. The red swollen areas can appear anywhere on the body, including the face, hands, and neck and are frequently so embarrassing that those with the condition tend to cover up even in summer. In Florida, temperatures can swell to 95 degrees, so wearing long sleeves or covering up from head-to-toe can actually result in more sweating, which just aggravates eczema.

"I remember when I was in middle school--kids would hand me coupons for lotion or ask me if I was in a fire and what happened," says Melanie Villarosa, a trial subject who has suffered from eczema for 29 years. Villarosa had nearly lost hope until she enrolled in the investigational drug trial. "Within two or three weeks I noticed a difference, and today it would be hard to tell I even have eczema," Villarosa added.

Forman is currently conducting trials for eczema, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis and plans to begin another eczema trial just for pediatric patients in June. Patients or parents of patients interested in the trial can learn more by watching the video at http://ht.ly/4mOQxs or apply by visiting http://www.forwardclinicaltrials.com/ or calling (813) 264-2155.


About Forward Clinical Trials:
Forward Clinical Trials (FCT) is a multi-specialty clinical trials practice that provides new, innovative medicines of the future. FCT is located in Tampa, Fla. It is led by Seth B. Forman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Forman Dermatology & Skin Cancer Institute. Founded in 2012, FCT is a multispecialty research site conducting Phase II - IV studies. FCT participates in trials involving investigational and FDA-approved drugs.  For more information, visit us at www.formanderm.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FormanDerm/