Clinical Research

Apex Clinical Research Center provides access to cutting edge clinical trials so that our patients can make a difference and can be a part of advancing the field of dermatology.  If you would like to be considered for one of our clinical trials or would like more information about participation, please fill out the Participant Form.

Current Studies

Click on the studies to find out if you can participate

What conditions do we work with?

At Apex Clinical Research Center, we have experience in:

  • Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) for adults and children
  • Psoriasis for adults and children
  • Hidradenitis Suppurativa
  • Gorlin Syndrome
  • Pyoderma Gangrenosum
  • Lichen Planus
  • Vitiligo
  • Prurigo Nodularis
  • Alopecia Areata
  • Palmoplantar and Genital Psoriasis
  • And More….

Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis (age 2-12)

Status: RECRUITING

Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis (age 2-12)

Non-steroid cream applied once daily to areas of eczema or placebo (randomized)

Inclusion criteria: 

-Parent/guardian informed consent

-Male or female patient age 2-12 with clinical diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis (eczema)

-diagnosis of at least 6 months

 

-Up to 7 in-person visits over the course of 8 weeks

-Stipend provided to parent/guardian

 

If you are interested in participating, please submit study form below and our research team will contact you. You may also email research@apexskin.com or call 440-443-0440 Ext 10015

Adult Atopic Dermatitis (Oral medication)

Status: RECRUITING

Oral PDE4 inhibitor or placebo (randomized)

Inclusion criteria:

-Informed consent

-Male and female subjects age 18 and older

-diagnosis of moderate-severe Atopic Dermatitis (eczema) for at least 1 year

-Cannot have history of Hep B, Hep C, HIV, or cancer

Up to 9 visits over the course of 6 months

Stipend provided to patient

Adult Plaque Psoriasis (Injectable)

Biosimilar biologic to Stelara vs. Stelara injection (randomized)

Inclusion criteria:

-Informed consent

-Adults age 18-80

-Diagnosis of moderate-severe plaque psoriasis for at least 6 months and is a candidate for systemic therapy

-Cannot have history of Hep B, Hep C, HIV, TB, or cancer

Up to 9 visits over the course of 7 months

Stipend provided to patient

If you are interested in participating, please submit study form below and our research team will contact you. You may also email research@apexskin.com or call 440-443-0440 Ext 10015.

Adult Neurofibromatosis Type 1/Cutaneous Neurofibromas (Topical gel)

Status: RECRUITING

Topical MEK-inhibitor or placebo (randomized)

Inclusion criteria:

-Informed consent

-Adult patients (age 18 and older) with clinical diagnosis of NF1

-Patient has at least 10 clinically diagnosed cutaneous neurofibromas with 2 on the face ad 8 on the upper body

Up to 9 visits over the course of about 7 months

Stipend provided to patient

You may also email research@apexskin.com or call 440-443-0440 Ext 10015.

Pediatric Psoriasis

Status: RECRUITING

Inclusion criteria: 

  • Informed consent
  • Age > 18 years of age
  • Psoriasis criteria
  • Patient will follow up with treating physician

You may also email research@apexskin.com or call 440-443-0440 Ext 10015.

Please complete the form below:

Advancement in medical treatment is facilitated by the conduct of clinical trials.  Clinical trials provide essential data to evaluate the safety and efficacy of experimental medications and treatments which allows the FDA to determine if they should be marketed to the public.  Thus, volunteering for clinical trials is essential to this process.

As a volunteer, you may be provided with unique, experimental treatments for your medical condition.  You may or may not qualify for the study based on very stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria.  Often, the entire study team will not know if you are receiving the experimental medication/treatment or placebo.  These “double blind” trials insure that outcomes are evaluated without investigator or study team bias. The Principal Investigator, Sub-Investigator and entire research team will carefully monitor you during the entirety of your participation.

If you would like to be considered for one of our clinical trials or would like more information about participation, please complete the form.

For more information: ClinicalTrials.gov

Contact info:

Research phone : 440-979-2739

Research Email: research@apexskin.com

The Research Team

Jorge Garcia-Zuazaga, MD, MBA, FAAD, FACMS

In 2009, Dr. Garcia-Zuazaga enrolled at the Weatherhead School of Business of Case Western Reserve University to pursue his MBA, while still working full time as a Mohs surgeon. He completed this rigorous curriculum in 2011 and shortly after his graduation he relocated his practice to Concord, Ohio to establish Apex Dermatology and Skin Surgery Center.

Dr. Garcia-Zuazaga is Board Certified by the American Board of Dermatology, is a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgeons, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and Fellow of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clinical Research?

Apex Dermatology’s Clinical Research Center partners with pharmaceutical companies to study the effectiveness and safety of newer dermatologic therapies. We aim to work with participants to advance medical treatments!

How can you participate?

We offer a full services center with clinical trials using topicals,
oral medication, injectables, infusion, etc.

Email us at research@apexskin.com or call us at 440-940-2739 for more information. If you qualify for participation, you may receive financial compensation. All tests and procedures related to the research study are at no cost to you or your insurance.

What do research visits look like?

Most scheduled visits will include the following activities:

  • Consenting

  • Surveys

  • Vitals and labs (i.e. bloodwork, ECGs, etc.)

  • Meeting with a dermatologist

  • Investigational drug dispensing & return

In the News

Clinical Research at Apex: Your Questions Answered

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Basics of Conducting Clinical Trials

From studying new topical creams that show promise in repigmenting vitiligo to biologic agents that revolutionize the way psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are treated, clinical trials explore the efficacy…