A new topical formulation of thalidomide developed at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) seeks to offer a safer alternative for patients with discoid lupus erythematosus. The TopiDLE project, led by Dr. Cristina Solé, principal investigator of the Rheumatology group at VHIR, has received a grant from the LEO Foundation to complete its preclinical development and advance towards a future clinical trial.
The initiative stems from TopiTali, a cream designed for thalidomide to act directly on skin lesions and limit its systemic absorption. Preliminary studies in animal models have managed to reduce approximately 90% of skin lesions, while the drug was not detected in the bloodstream. The objective is to leverage the high efficacy of thalidomide in refractory cases, avoiding the main adverse effects associated with its oral use.
Over the next three years, the team will delve into the efficacy and safety of the formulation, its pharmacokinetics, and the molecular mechanisms involved, using technologies such as spatial transcriptomics and microRNA analysis. The research also seeks to identify biomarkers that will allow progress towards more personalized medicine.
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