Effect of Acoltremon Ophthalmic Solution 0.003% on Tear Production and Symptoms in Patients With Tear Deficiency and Concurrent Neuropathic Corneal Pain

NCT07849803 — Phase 4, Not yet recruiting, 28 participants, University of South Florida

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RegistryNCT07849803, acronym AURORA
StatusNot yet recruiting
PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional; na, single group, masking: none, treatment
Enrollment28 (Estimated)
SponsorUniversity of South Florida (Other); collaborators: Alcon Research
ConditionsOcular Pain, Dry Eye
Interventionsacoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003% (Drug)
Datesstart 2026-10-01 (estimated), primary completion 2027-05-01 (estimated), completion 2027-06-01 (estimated), first posted 2026-09-30, last updated 2026-10-06
Locations1 site in United States

Related Papers Related Patents Related Grants Related Experts
All trials for Ocular Pain All trials for Dry Eye All trials of acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003%

-Summary

This study is designed to provide clinical data on how acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003% affects tear production and ocular symptoms in participants with tear deficiency and concurrent neuropathic corneal pain. Acoltremon is formulated to help increase natural tear production by activating TRPM8 (Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8) receptors on cold-sensitive corneal nerves. It is thought that this study treatment may help participants by increasing tear production while potentially reducing neuropathic ocular symptoms, including pain and discomfort.

Participants will be followed for 8 weeks, evaluating the mean change in unanesthetized Schirmer test score between 3 minutes post-drop at Week 8 compared to pre-drop at baseline (Day 1), change in neuropathic symptom intensity as measured by a 0-10 VAS (Visual Analog Scale) from baseline to Week 8, and change in quality of life as assessed by the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) from baseline to Week 8. The study will also evaluate changes in corneal nerve structure, nerve function, corneal sensitivity, ocular surface symptoms, and treatment satisfaction.

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+Detailed description

AURORA is a prospective, open-label, single-center, single-arm investigator-initiated study evaluating TRYPTYR (acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003%) in 28 adults with neuropathic corneal pain and concurrent tear deficiency. Eligible participants must have neuropathic ocular symptoms for at least 3 months, a driving symptom score of at least 4 on a 0-10 VAS (Visual Analog Scale), reduced corneal nerve density and microneuromas on IVCM (In Vivo Confocal Microscopy), at least 50% symptom improvement following topical proparacaine, and an unanesthetized Schirmer score of at least 2 mm but less than 10 mm.

Participants will administer acoltremon 0.003% in both eyes twice daily for 8 weeks. One qualifying eye per participant will be designated as the study eye for analysis. There is no placebo or comparator group.

The primary endpoint is the mean change in unanesthetized Schirmer score from pre-drop baseline to 3 minutes post-drop at Week 8. Secondary endpoints include acute change in Schirmer score on Day 1, change in neuropathic ocular symptom intensity on the VAS (Visual Analog Scale), and change in quality of life measured by OPAS (Ocular Pain Assessment Survey). Exploratory outcomes include changes in corneal nerve structure and function, corneal sensitivity, OSDI (Ocular Surface Disease Index) scores, drop comfort, and treatment satisfaction.

Safety monitoring will focus on corneal staining, visual acuity, discomfort following drop administration, and adverse events, with a safety assessment conducted after the first five participants.

+Arms and interventions

ArmTypeInterventionsDescription
Acoltremon GroupExperimentalDrug: acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003%Patients will administer one drop of Acoltremon Ophthalmic Solution 0.003% twice a day for 8 weeks.
  • acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003% (Drug): acoltremon ophthalmic solution 0.003%, one drop, twice a day, into the study eye, for 8 weeks.

+Outcome measures

Primary outcomes

  • Change in Unanesthetized Schirmer Test Score at Week 8 [Time frame: Baseline to Week 8]: Mean change from the pre-dose measurement at baseline (Day 1) to the measurement taken 3 minutes after dosing at Week 8. Range: 0-35 mm Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater tear production and a better outcome.

Secondary outcomes

  • Acute Change in Unanesthetized Schirmer Test Score on Day 1 [Pre-dose to 3 minutes post-dose on Day 1]: Mean change from the pre-dose measurement to the measurement taken 3 minutes after the first dose. Range: 0-35 mm Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater tear production and a better outcome.
  • Change in Neuropathic Ocular Symptom Intensity [Baseline to Week 8]: Change in pain, discomfort, or another identified neuropathic symptom measured using a 0-10 visual analog scale (VAS). Range: 0-10 Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater pain or symptom severity and a worse outcome.
  • Change in Ocular Pain-Related Quality of Life [Baseline to Week 8]: Change in quality of life measured using the Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS). Range: 0-10 Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater ocular pain and symptom severity and a worse outcome.

+Eligibility

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to any

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female aged ≥ 18 years
2. Baseline unanesthetized Schirmer test ≥2 and < 10 mm
3. Symptoms of neuropathic corneal pain (such as burning, stinging, light sensitivity, discomfort, or pain) for at least 3 months with driving symptom rated at level 4 or higher on VAS.
4. Positive IVCM findings evaluated by an experienced ophthalmologist (Pedram Hamrah, MD): for decreased nerve density AND evidence of microneuromas.
5. Females of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test.
6. Change of 50% or more improvement in VAS score after topical 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride (Alcaine, Alcon, Fort Worth, TX).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Evidence of any active ocular infection or any intraocular inflammation.
2. Evidence of any persistent epithelial defect/ulcer or any corneal scar/corneal edema.
3. Presence of any other ocular conditions that require topical medications during the treatment phase.
4. History of severe systemic allergies or severe ocular allergies.
5. Inability to suspend topical medications and varenicline 8 days prior to the starting date, except for artificial and serum tears for which subjects must be stable on current regimen for ≥3 months with no changes during the trial.
6. History of any ocular surgery within three months before study Visit 1.
7. Ocular surgery expected during the duration of the study.
8. Use of refractive/therapeutic contact lenses during the study period.
9. Female subjects who are pregnant/have a positive pregnancy test result or are breastfeeding or intend to become pregnant during the study treatment period.
10. Drug addiction/alcohol abuse within the last year.
11. Participation in another clinical trial concurrently.

+Locations (1)

FacilityCityCountryStatus
The University of South FloridaTampa, FloridaUnited States

+Publications

  • Rolke R, Baron R, Maier C, Tolle TR, Treede -DR, Beyer A, Binder A, Birbaumer N, Birklein F, Botefur IC, Braune S, Flor H, Huge V, Klug R, Landwehrmeyer GB, Magerl W, Maihofner C, Rolko C, Schaub C, Scherens A, Sprenger T, Valet M, Wasserka B. Quantitative sensory testing in the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain (DFNS): standardized protocol and reference values. Pain. 2006 Aug;123(3):231-243. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2006.01.041. Epub 2006 May 11. PMID 16697110
  • Villani E, Baudouin C, Efron N, Hamrah P, Kojima T, Patel SV, Pflugfelder SC, Zhivov A, Dogru M. In vivo confocal microscopy of the ocular surface: from bench to bedside. Curr Eye Res. 2014 Mar;39(3):213-31. doi: 10.3109/02713683.2013.842592. Epub 2013 Nov 11. PMID 24215436
  • Qazi Y, Hurwitz S, Khan S, Jurkunas UV, Dana R, Hamrah P. Validity and Reliability of a Novel Ocular Pain Assessment Survey (OPAS) in Quantifying and Monitoring Corneal and Ocular Surface Pain. Ophthalmology. 2016 Jul;123(7):1458-68. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.03.006. Epub 2016 Apr 16. PMID 27089999
  • Dieckmann G, Goyal S, Hamrah P. Neuropathic Corneal Pain: Approaches for Management. Ophthalmology. 2017 Nov;124(11S):S34-S47. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.08.004. PMID 29055360
  • Galor A, Levitt RC, Felix ER, Martin ER, Sarantopoulos CD. Neuropathic ocular pain: an important yet underevaluated feature of dry eye. Eye (Lond). 2015 Mar;29(3):301-12. doi: 10.1038/eye.2014.263. Epub 2014 Nov 7. PMID 25376119
  • Belmonte C, Nichols JJ, Cox SM, Brock JA, Begley CG, Bereiter DA, Dartt DA, Galor A, Hamrah P, Ivanusic JJ, Jacobs DS, McNamara NA, Rosenblatt MI, Stapleton F, Wolffsohn JS. TFOS DEWS II pain and sensation report. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jul;15(3):404-437. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2017.05.002. Epub 2017 Jul 20. PMID 28736339
  • Marfurt C, Anokwute MC, Fetcko K, Mahony-Perez E, Farooq H, Ross E, Baumanis MM, Weinberg RL, McCarron ME, Mankowski JL. Comparative Anatomy of the Mammalian Corneal Subbasal Nerve Plexus. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2019 Dec 2;60(15):4972-4984. doi: 10.1167/iovs.19-28519. PMID 31790560
  • Cruzat A, Qazi Y, Hamrah P. In Vivo Confocal Microscopy of Corneal Nerves in Health and Disease. Ocul Surf. 2017 Jan;15(1):15-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2016.09.004. Epub 2016 Oct 19. PMID 27771327
  • Marfurt CF, Cox J, Deek S, Dvorscak L. Anatomy of the human corneal innervation. Exp Eye Res. 2010 Apr;90(4):478-92. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2009.12.010. Epub 2009 Dec 29. PMID 20036654

+Investigators