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Burn Degree SecondSwisskeraNCT07415577

The Use of Cultured (Dermal) Epithelial Autografts in Severely Burned Patients

An observational study of Burn Degree Second and Burn Degree Third, run by University Children's Hospital, Zurich at 3 sites in Switzerland.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The Swisskera project is a multicenter follow-up study at the three Swiss burn centers evaluating long-term outcomes after burn wound coverage with lab-grown epithelial grafts, specifically cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) and, where applicable, cultured dermal-epidermal autograft (CDEA). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Any age
How many people
236 participants
Where
3 sitesSwitzerland
Study dates
1 Dec 2026to 31 Dec 2030
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages Any age
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Study population: The study population includes patients treated at the three Swiss burn centers who sustained a burn injury and received grafting with cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) and/or cultured dermal-epidermal autograft (CDEA) between 1985 and 2023. Participants must have available clinical data (at minimum demographics and the date/time of CEA/CDEA transplantation) and provide written informed consent (patient or authorized legal representative). Patients are excluded if they decline participation or are unable to attend a study visit at a study site or at home.

Who may be able to join

  • Patients who have undergone treatment at the three Swiss burn centres and received grafts utilizing CEA since the introduction of the CEA technique in Switzerland (from 1985 to 2023) will be invited to participate in this study.
  • Availability of clinical data, including at minimum demographic information and the date and time of CEA/CDEA transplantation.
  • Signed informed consent from the patient or his/her legal representative/relatives.

Who cannot join

  • Refusal of participation in the study by the patient or his/her legal representative/relatives.
  • Patients, who are, of any reason, unable to attend a study visit at one of the study sites or in their home

Trial locations and contacts

3 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Sophie Böttcher, PD Dr. med. contact

+41442497228

sophie.boettcher@kispi.uzh.ch

Sophie Böttcher, PD Dr. med. contact

+41442496115

studien.plastische@kispi.uzh.ch

Switzerland3 sites
  • Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois

    Lausanne, Lausanne, 1005

    Philippe Abdel-Sayed, PhD, +41213146928, philippe.abdel-sayed@chuv.ch

    Anthony de Buys-Roessingh, Prof. Dr. med.

  • University Children's Hospital Zurich

    Zurich, Canton of Zurich, 8008

    Sophie Böttcher, PD Dr. med., +41442497228, sophie.boettcher@kispi.uzh.ch

    Sophie Böttcher, PD Dr. med., +41442496115, studien.plastische@kispi.uzh.ch

  • University Hospital Zurich

    Zurich, Canton of Zurich, 8091

    Bong-Sung Kim, Prof Dr. med., +41432538932, bong-sung.kim@usz.ch

    Bong-Sung Kim, Prof. Dr. med.

Other trials in Switzerland

About this study

Official title: Multicenter Cohort Study for the Use of Cultured Epithelial Autografts (CEA) or Cultured Dermal Epidermal Autografts (CDEA) in Severely Burned Patients

The Swisskera project is a multicenter follow-up study at the three Swiss burn centers evaluating long-term outcomes after burn wound coverage with lab-grown epithelial grafts, specifically cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) and, where applicable, cultured dermal-epidermal autograft (CDEA). Patients who received CEA/CDEA between 1985 and 2023 will be invited for a study visit , using available clinical records and standardized long-term scar and skin assessments.

Long-term skin quality will be evaluated by comparing the previously transplanted area with a matched healthy skin reference site using non-invasive measurements (e.g., thickness, transepidermal water loss, hydration, elasticity, and color). Optional small punch biopsies may be obtained from transplanted areas (under local anesthesia or during clinically indicated anesthesia) for histological and immunohistochemical characterization of scar tissue remodeling, including collagen and elastin architecture, vascularization, nerve fiber ingrowth, inflammatory cell patterns, and melanocyte distribution.

Read the detailed description

The Swisskera project is a multicenter, observational long-term outcomes study conducted at the three Swiss burn centers. It evaluates scar and skin quality after burn wound coverage with lab-grown keratinocyte-based grafts, specifically cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) and, where applicable, cultured dermal-epidermal autograft (CDEA). Eligible patients are those who sustained a burn injury and were treated with CEA and/or CDEA since the introduction of CEA in Switzerland (1985-2023). Participants are invited for a dedicated study visit. The study uses routinely collected clinical data (at minimum demographics and date/time of CEA/CDEA transplantation) together with standardized long-term clinical and instrument-based assessments. Participation requires written informed consent from the patient or an authorized legal representative; patients who decline participation or cannot attend a study visit (at a study site or at home) are excluded.

At the study visit, long-term scar and skin quality are quantified using within-subject comparisons between the previously transplanted CEA/CDEA area and a comparable healthy skin reference site. The Primary Endpoint is the long term skin and scar quality evaluated by the POSAS. Non-invasive measurements are performed with the DermaLab Combo® system and include skin thickness, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), hydration, elasticity, and colorimetry, each recorded in the transplanted area and compared to the matched healthy site to characterize residual functional and aesthetic differences many years after transplantation.

In addition, participants may opt into a minimally invasive tissue assessment. Optional 4-mm punch biopsies can be taken from previously CEA-transplanted skin for histological and immunohistochemical analyses of long-term tissue remodeling. Biopsies are performed under local anesthesia or during clinically indicated general anesthesia/analgosedation if the participant is undergoing such anesthesia for other reasons. Histological endpoints include collagen fiber density and deposition pattern, elastin fiber density, vascular development and pattern, nerve fiber ingrowth, inflammatory/immunological cell presence and distribution (e.g., granulocytes and macrophages), and melanocyte presence/distribution. Together, the clinical record review, standardized non-invasive skin measurements, and optional tissue-level analyses aim to provide a comprehensive characterization of long-term outcomes after CEA/CDEA treatment in Switzerland.

Being tested
Standard of Care (SOC)

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Standard of Care (SOC)Other

    Standard of Care

Study groups in NCT07415577
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Cultured Epithelial Autografts and Cultured Dermal Epithelial AutograftsThe study population comprises patients treated at the three Swiss burn centers who sustained a burn injury and underwent grafting with cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) and/or cultured dermal-epidermal autograft (CDEA) since the introduction of CEA in Switzerland (1985-2023), with available clinical data (at minimum demographics and the date/time of CEA/CDEA transplantation) and written informed consent from the patient or an authorized legal representative.
Receives: Other: Standard of Care (SOC)

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Long-term outcome of scar and skin quality (POSAS)

    The primary endpoint of this study is to assess scar quality in patients who have received a CEA within the past 40 years, as measured by the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS).

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

Secondary outcomes (15)
  1. Examining the incidence of skin tumours (melanoma passenger are known)

    With Dermatoscope evaluations. Additionally, suspicious skin lesions, will undergo optional dermatopathological assessment, utilizing shave or punch biopsies. If the patient chooses further dermatopathological evaluation, we will obtain the histological findings as well as the diagnostic report, and ensure they are followed up and documented.

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  2. Evaluation of the requirement of secondary reconstructive surgical procedures and/or additional coverage of the transplanted CEAs/CDEAs

    The need for secondary surgery due to instable scars, hypertrophic scaring or contractures and replacement.

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  3. Medical history

    Evaluation of relevant medical history that might influence the skin and scar quality today, such as accidents, chronic illness or substance abuse.

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  4. Sensibility (2-point discrimination)

    Sensibility testing by 2-point discrimination focusing on comparing the sensibility difference between the transplanted CEA/CDEA area and the adjacent healthy skin.

    Unit of Measure: mm

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  5. Sensibility (Vibration)

    Sensibility testing by vibration with a Rydel-Seiffer tuning fork focusing on comparing the sensibility difference between the transplanted CEA/CDEA area and the adjacent healthy skin.

    Unit of measure: Hz

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  6. Sensibility (Temperature perception)

    Participants will report perceived warm and cold sensibility in the transplanted CEA/CDEA area compared with adjacent healthy skin (e.g., reduced, unchanged, or increased).

    Unit of measure: Categorical (reduced / unchanged / increased)

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  7. Sensibility (Pain perception)

    Monofilament touch will be applied to the transplanted CEA/CDEA area and to adjacent healthy skin. Participants will rate how strongly they perceive the stimulus on a numeric rating scale from 1 (not perceived/very weak) to 10 (very strong). The outcome is the within-participant difference in ratings (transplanted minus healthy).

    Unit of measure: Numeric rating scale (1-10)

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  8. Skin Thickness (DermaScan)

    The Dermascan will be used to measure the thickness of the dermal skin layer. Unit of Measure: mm

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  9. Skin thickness (DermaLab Combo®)

    Skin thickness will be measured in the transplanted CEA/CDEA area and at a matched adjacent healthy skin reference site. The outcome is the within-participant difference (transplanted minus healthy).

    Unit of Measure: mm

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  10. Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL)

    Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) will be evaluated using the Short Form-12 (SF-12),a shorter version from the SF-36, which is a for burn cohorts validated score. The score will undergo comparison with a control group matched for gender and age, utilizing established norm values from the University of Lucerne. If a significant variance is identified, it will be further analyzed and compared with HRQoL data from analogous studies in the existing literature (to be defined).

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  11. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) difference (DermaLab Combo®)

    Description: TEWL will be measured in the transplanted area and at a matched healthy reference site. The outcome is the within-participant difference (transplanted minus healthy).

    Unit of Measure: g/m²/h

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  12. Skin hydration difference (DermaLab Combo®)

    Description: Hydration will be measured in the transplanted area and at a matched healthy reference site. The outcome is the within-participant difference (transplanted minus healthy).

    Unit of Measure: Arbitrary units (device output)

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  13. Skin elasticity difference (DermaLab Combo®)

    Description: Elasticity will be measured in the transplanted area and at a matched healthy reference site. The outcome is the within-participant difference (transplanted minus healthy).

    Unit of Measure: Arbitrary units (device output)

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  14. Erythema index difference (DermaLab Combo®)

    Erythema index will be measured in the transplanted area and at a matched healthy reference site. The outcome is the within-participant difference (transplanted minus healthy).

    Unit of Measure: Index units (device output)

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

  15. Melanin index difference (DermaLab Combo®)

    Melanin index will be measured in the transplanted area and at a matched healthy reference site. The outcome is the within-participant difference (transplanted minus healthy).

    Unit of Measure: Index units (device output)

    Measured: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted17 Feb 2026
  2. Study start1 Dec 2026 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion31 Dec 2029 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Dec 2030 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrolment
236 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07415577
Sponsor's protocol ID
2025-01449
Other IDs
10.005.785, 2025
Acronym
Swisskera
Status last verified
Jan 2026
First submitted
14 Jan 2026
Last updated
26 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Burn Degree Second and Burn Degree Third, run by University Children's Hospital, Zurich at 3 sites in Switzerland.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 26 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 3 sites in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Sophie Böttcher, PD Dr. med. (+41442497228, sophie.boettcher@kispi.uzh.ch), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Long-term outcome of scar and skin quality (POSAS) (time frame: Baseline Day 0 (= First contact with patient) Visit 1 up to 12 month after Baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 26 May 2026.

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