Gentzkow GD, Iwasaki SD, Hershon KS, Mengel M, Prendergast JJ, Ricotta JJ, Steed DP, Lipkin S, et al.
Diabetes care. Date of publication 1996 Apr 1;volume 19(4):350-4.
1. Diabetes Care. 1996 Apr;19(4):350-4.
Use of dermagraft, a cultured human dermis, to treat diabetic foot ulcers.
Gentzkow GD(1), Iwasaki SD, Hershon KS, Mengel M, Prendergast JJ, Ricotta JJ,
Steed DP, Lipkin S.
Author information:
(1)Advanced Tissue Sciences, Inc., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Comment in
ACP J Club. 1996 Sep-Oct;125(2):42.
Diabetes Care. 1997 Jan;20(1):116-8.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a tissue-engineered human dermis (Dermagraft)
in healing diabetic foot ulcers.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This controlled prospective multicenter randomized
single-blinded pilot study evaluated healing over a 12-week period in 50 patients
with diabetic foot ulcers. These patients were randomized into four groups (three
different dosage regimens of Dermagraft and one control group). All patients
received identical care except for the use of Dermagraft tissue. Ulcer healing
was assessed by percentage of wounds achieving complete or 50% closure, time to
complete or 50% closure, and volume and area measurements.
RESULTS: Ulcers treated with the highest dosage of Dermagraft, one piece applied
weekly for 8 weeks (group A), healed significantly more often than those treated
with conventional wound closure methods; 50% (6 of 12) of the Dermagraft-treated
and 8% (1 of 13) of the control ulcers healed completely (P = 0.03). The
percentage of wounds achieving 50% closure was also significantly higher (75 vs.
23%; P = 0.018), and the time to complete or 50% closure was faster (P = 0.056).
The group A regimen was more effective than other treatment regimens. All three
were better than the control, however, and a dose-response was observed. There
were no safety concerns. After a mean of 14 months of follow-up (range 11-22
months), there were no recurrences in the Dermagraft-healed ulcers.
CONCLUSIONS: Dermagraft was associated with more complete and rapid healing in
diabetic foot ulcers. The recurrence data may indicate an improved quality of
wound healing.
PMID: 8729158 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
