A Phase IIb/III Study of Prof-001 for the Treatment of Patients With Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (RVVC)

Phase IIb/III Parallel-arm, Random., Active-controlled, Double-blind, Double-dummy, Multicenter, Non-inferiority Study in Patients With RVVC to Compare Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Topically Administered ProF-001 to Oral Fluconazole

This is a prospective, randomized, multi-center, active-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, non-inferiority study comparing the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of ProF-001 to fluconazole.

Eligible subjects will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either ProF-001 or fluconazole for the treatment of RVVC.

Patients diagnosed with RVVC will be randomized to either ProF-001 or fluconazole treatment. Treatment schedule will start with an induction period of 10 (+4) days followed by a six months maintenance period and a subsequent 6 months follow-up (observation) period after end of active treatment.

Any episode of VVC grade > = 3 and positive vaginal smear (native or KOH) with budding yeasts, pseudohyphae or hyphae from test of cure (TOC) visit onwards will be considered as relapse of VVC.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female patients ≥ 18 years
• Patients suffering from an acute episode in RVVC, characterized by:
• Positive vaginal smear (native or KOH) for budding yeasts and/or (pseudo-) hyphae, normal or intermediate flora
• Two or more of the following signs and symptoms of VVC that are characterized as moderate or severe: itching, burning, irritation, edema, redness, or excoriation/fissure (Table 2).
• At least 3 previous episodes of VVC during the last 12 months (i.e. at least 4 episodes including the current episode)
• Readiness for sexual abstinence from start of treatment until test of cure (TOC) - visit
• Ability to understand trial instructions and rating scales as well as ability to comply with treatment
• Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known hypersensitivity to clotrimazole, diclofenac, fluconazole or any other ingredient of the investigational medicinal product
• Pregnancy or breast feeding at time of screening (for all females of childbearing potential, negative pregnancy test at screening and monthly during active treatment period will be performed). Females in childbearing potential must use adequate contraception during the active treatment period (sexual abstinence is an accepted method of birth control)
• Menstrual bleeding (spotting is not an exclusion criterion) during the first three days of treatment during the induction period
• Acute cystitis diagnosed by anamnesis and urinary dip stick (positive for leukocytes and nitrites) during screening examination
• Patients with other infectious causes of vulvovaginitis assessed during gynecological examination at screening (e.g., bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Herpes simplex)
• Patients with other clinical gynecological abnormalities, such as infections of the upper urogenital tract (pelvic inflammatory disease, adnexitis) or known high-grade cervical dysplasia at screening
• Subjects with another vaginal or vulvar condition that would confound the interpretation of clinical response (e.g. lichen sclerosus, neuropathic pain, herpes zoster)
• Treatment with antimycotics (systemic or vaginal) within the prior 3 days of randomization or during study period other than IMP (investigational medicinal product)
• Chronic (daily) use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication during induction and maintenance period (>4 weeks)
• Vaginal or oral antibiotic treatment during induction period
• Vaginal use of corticosteroids, chronic systemic (oral, rectal or intravenous) use of corticosteroids during treatment and follow-up period (≥ 5 mg oral prednisolone/d or equivalent dose > 4 weeks). Topical dermal (except vulvar), intranasal or inhalative corticosteroids for allergy, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease allowed.
• Vaginal use of antihistaminic drugs during induction period
• Patients receiving anti-estrogen treatment for breast cancer, patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs
• Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption."
• Active malignancy (except non-melanoma skin cancer, or carcinoma in situ of cervix) or current treatment with anticancer therapy (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy for cancer treatment, targeted therapy or gene therapy)
• Known major uncontrolled medical disorder(s) that renders the subject unsuitable for participation in the study, including but not limited to: comorbid condition with an estimated life expectancy of ≤ 12 months, known acquired immune deficiency syndrome, patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis, patients with severe pulmonary (requiring home oxygen, uncontrolled COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Gold III/ IV) or cardiovascular conditions (heart failure NYHA IV)
• Participation in another interventional clinical trial within the last 30 days
• Employee at the study site, spouse/partner or relative of any study staff (e.g., investigator, sub-investigators, or study nurse) or relationship to the sponsor