Atrophic Acne ScarsNCT07547956
Subcision With Injection of Poly Deoxyribonucleotide Versus Subcision With Injection of Non-cross Linked Hyaluronic Acid in Rolling Acne Scars Treatment.
A study testing subcision with PDRN vs HA injection in people with Atrophic Acne Scars, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of two different injectable agents combined with subcision for treating rolling acne scars. In this split-face clinical trial, each participant will receive subcision on both sides of the face. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Atrophic Acne Scars
- What is being tested?
- subcision with PDRN vs HA injection
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 20 Oct 2025to 20 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Moderate to severe mainly rolling acne scars per validated scale (Goodman \& Baron Grade 3-4)
- Scars must be bilaterally distributed, allowing for split-face comparison
- Stable acne (no active nodulocystic lesions, pustules, or recent outbreaks for ≥6 months)
- No scar treatments (e.g., fillers, laser, microneedling) within the past 12 months
- All skin types.
- Both genders above 18 years old
Who cannot join
- Systemic retinoid treatment within the last 6 months
- Active inflammatory acne
- Lidocaine sensitivity
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Severe systemic illness or malignancy
- Use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications (unless cleared) Use of oral isotretinoin within the past 6 month
Show all 9Show fewer
- Herpes libialis, bacterial infection, other infections such as HBV, HCV or HIV
- Tendency to keloid formation
- Allergy to fish and salmon
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Egypt1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Cairo University, Dermatology Department
Cairo
dermatology department cairo university, 0235674835, info@cu.edu.eg
About this study
Official title: Subcision With Injection of Poly Deoxyribonucleotide Versus Subcision With Injection of Non-cross Linked Hyaluronic Acid in Rolling Acne Scars Treatment : A Split Face Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of two different injectable agents combined with subcision for treating rolling acne scars. In this split-face clinical trial, each participant will receive subcision on both sides of the face. One side will then be treated with an injection of Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), while the other side will receive an injection of non-cross linked Hyaluronic acid (HA). The clinical outcomes and improvement in scar appearance will be assessed and compared between both treatments
- Conditions
- Atrophic Acne Scars
- Being tested
- subcision with PDRN vs HA injection
- Keywords
- subcision, PDRN, Hyakuronic acid, atrophic acne scars
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
subcision with PDRN vs HA injectionProcedure or surgery
Each participant will receive two different treatments on each side of the face. One side will be treated with subcision followed by PDRN injection, while the other side will be treated with subcision followed by non-cross linked Hyaluronic Acid injection. Clinical assessment and 3D image analysis will be used for evaluation.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| split-face treatment arm | Experimental | Each participant will receive two different treatments: one side of the face will be treated with subcision followed by injection of polydeoxyribonucleotide, while the contralateral side will be treated wit subcision followed by injection of non-cross linked hyaluronic acid Receives: Procedure: subcision with PDRN vs HA injection |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Percent change in atrophic acne scar topography
Percent change from baseline in acne scar area, volume, and maximum depth as assessed by Antera 3D image analysis
Measured: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24 (3 months after last injection).
Change in Goodman and Baron Quantitative Score.
Mean change in the Goodman and Baron Quantitative Score for rolling acne scars. The score categorizes severity as: Mild (1 to 6), Moderate (7 to 15), and Severe (16 or above)
Measured: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24 (3 months after last injection).
Secondary outcomes (9)
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) - Observer Scale
Mean change in POSAS Observer Scale score from baseline.
Measured: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24 (3 months after last injection).
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) - Patient Scale
Mean change in POSAS Patient Scale score from baseline.
Measured: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24 (3 months after last injection)
Proportion of patients with clinically significant POSAS improvement
Percentage of patients achieving \ge30% improvement in total POSAS score.
Measured: Week 12 and Week 24
Proportion of patients with \ge30% improvement in Goodman and Baron score
Percentage of subjects achieving \ge30% improvement in the Goodman and Baron Quantitative Score.
Measured: Week 12 and Week 24.
Change in total atrophic acne scar counts
Absolute change in total atrophic scar counts and Scar Global Assessment (SGA) using a 5-point scale (0 = clear to 4 = severe)
Measured: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24.
Success rate based on Scar Global Assessment (SGA)
Proportion of subjects achieving an SGA score of "clear" or "almost clear" and at least a 2-grade improvement from baseline.
Measured: Week 12 and Week 24.
Patient Satisfaction Score
Proportion of patients achieving clinically meaningful improvement in satisfaction, defined as a \ge2-point increase on a 10-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Measured: Week 12 and Week 24.
Absolute values of scar topography
Comparison of absolute values of acne scar area, volume, and maximum depth as assessed by Antera 3D imaging
Measured: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24.
Absolute values of Goodman and Baron Quantitative Score
Comparison of absolute values of the Goodman and Baron Quantitative Score for rolling acne scars.
Measured: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Apr 2026
- Study start20 Oct 2025
- Primary completion20 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion20 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Atrophic Acne ScarsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Islam Abdelkareem Ismail Abujarbou, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07547956
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MS-376-2025
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 18 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Subcision With Injection of Poly Deoxyribonucleotide Versus Subcision With Injection of Non-cross Linked Hyaluronic Acid in Rolling Acne Scars Treatment : A Split Face Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07547956
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MS-376-2025
- Conditions
- Atrophic Acne Scars
- Keywords
- subcision, PDRN, Hyakuronic acid, atrophic acne scars
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Oct 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 20 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 23 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of two different injectable agents combined with subcision for treating rolling acne scars. In this split-face clinical trial, each participant will receive subcision on both sides of the face. One side will then be treated with an injection of Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), while the other side will receive an injection of non-cross linked Hyaluronic acid (HA). The clinical outcomes and improvement in scar appearance will be assessed and compared between both treatments
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| split-face treatment arm | Experimental | Procedure: subcision with PDRN vs HA injectionEach participant will receive two different treatments: one side of the face will be treated with subcision followed by injection of polydeoxyribonucleotide, while the contralateral side will be treated wit subcision followed by injection of non-cross linked hyaluronic acid |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Moderate to severe mainly rolling acne scars per validated scale (Goodman \& Baron Grade 3-4)
- Scars must be bilaterally distributed, allowing for split-face comparison
- Stable acne (no active nodulocystic lesions, pustules, or recent outbreaks for ≥6 months)
- No scar treatments (e.g., fillers, laser, microneedling) within the past 12 months
- All skin types.
Key exclusion criteria (9 listed)
- Systemic retinoid treatment within the last 6 months
- Active inflammatory acne
- Lidocaine sensitivity
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Severe systemic illness or malignancy
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| subcision with PDRN vs HA injectionEach participant will receive two different treatments on each side of the face. One side will be treated with subcision followed by PDRN injection, while the other side will be treated with subcision followed by non-cross linked Hyaluronic Acid injection. Clinical assessment and 3D image analysis will be used for evaluation. | Procedure or surgery | split-face treatment arm |
Primary outcome
Percent change in atrophic acne scar topography
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24 (3 months after last injection).
Percent change from baseline in acne scar area, volume, and maximum depth as assessed by Antera 3D image analysis
Change in Goodman and Baron Quantitative Score.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24 (3 months after last injection).
Mean change in the Goodman and Baron Quantitative Score for rolling acne scars. The score categorizes severity as: Mild (1 to 6), Moderate (7 to 15), and Severe (16 or above)
9 secondary outcomes
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) - Observer Scale
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24 (3 months after last injection).
Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) - Patient Scale
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24 (3 months after last injection)
Proportion of patients with clinically significant POSAS improvement
Time frame: Week 12 and Week 24
Proportion of patients with \ge30% improvement in Goodman and Baron score
Time frame: Week 12 and Week 24.
Change in total atrophic acne scar counts
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24.
Success rate based on Scar Global Assessment (SGA)
Time frame: Week 12 and Week 24.
Patient Satisfaction Score
Time frame: Week 12 and Week 24.
Absolute values of scar topography
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24.
Absolute values of Goodman and Baron Quantitative Score
Time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing subcision with PDRN vs HA injection in people with Atrophic Acne Scars, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
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 6 inclusion and 9 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 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 1 site in Egypt. 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?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Percent change in atrophic acne scar topography (time frame: Baseline, Week 12, and Week 24 (3 months after last injection).). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 18 May 2026.