A prospective multicenter study of the efficacy and tolerability of cryopreserved allogenic human keratinocytes to treat venous leg ulcers.

Allogeneic human keratinocyte cultures have been used to treat burn wounds, donor sites, and chronic skin ulcers with some success. Cryopreservation of these cultures allows for the production of large standardized batches that are readily available for use. The aim of the study presented in this report was to study effects of cryopreserved cultured allogenic human keratinocytes (CryoCeal) on chronic lower extremity wounds. Parameters were measured to study efficacy, tolerability, pain associated with chronic wounds, and quality of life of patients. Twenty-seven patients with hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers received a maximum of 9 applications of CryoCeal in a prospective, uncontrolled multicenter study lasting 48 weeks. Eleven out of 27 patients (41%; 95% CI: 22%-61%) had complete wound closure within 24 weeks (1 week). The time required for complete wound closure in these 11 patients ranged from 4.1 to 24.9 weeks. Only 1 patient had recurrence of the ulcer at 48 weeks. Local (wound) pain scores decreased from a mean of 2.5 at baseline to 0.9 at week 24. Fifty percent of the patients attained a pain score of 0 after 12 weeks and remained stable at this score until the end of the study. Overall, the patient quality of life was better at week 24, compared to baseline values. The treatment was well tolerated, and wound infection was the most frequently occurring adverse event.