For over 30 years, botulinum toxin has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including spasmodic dysphonia, a form of laryngeal dystonia. Recently, a new neurotoxin, DAXXIFY® (DaxibotulinumtoxinA-land), was approved by the FDA for the treatment of cervical (neck) dystonia in adults.
We are excited to share that Dr. Clark Rosen (pictured), Co-Director of the UCSF Voice & Swallowing Center, is currently conducting an investigator-initiated open-label clinical trial through the pharmaceutical company, Revance. Enrollment for the study includes twenty people to evaluate the effectiveness of DAXXIFY as a treatment for people with adductor spasmodic dysphonia. The study is designed to evaluate the safety of DAXXIFY and compare the treatment response to botulinum toxin A in patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Dysphonia International partnered with the UCSF Voice & Swallowing Center to provide augmentive funding for this study.
DAXXIFY is formulated differently from other type A toxins and has a cell-penetrating peptide. In a large clinical trial for cervical dystonia, its treatment effect lasted longer than the traditional 12-week injection cycle for most people. Dr. Rosen has diligently tracked the advancement of this treatment for the past three years and has been proactive in advancing this study. He shared, “DAXXIFY may have a profound impact on the quality of life of thousands of patients that suffer from spasmodic dysphonia, which causes a severe restriction on the ability of an individual to talk. I am hopeful that DAXXIFY can ease this burden.”
Each neurotoxin has its unique dosage and is frequently not interchangeable between brands. We appreciate Dr. Rosen’s efforts to be at the forefront of this new option. With the possibility of longer-lasting duration, DAXXIFY could be an exciting new treatment option, reducing the number of injections needed annually. It’s important to express our gratitude to the individuals participating in this clinical trial. As the first people to receive this new neurotoxin for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia, they are leading the way for our community!