Dupuytren’s disease causes an abnormal thickening of the tissues located underneath the skin in the palm of the hand. The disease generally progresses slowly, but its course is unpredictable. In time, the thickened tissues form lumps and strong cords that cause the fingers to bend abnormally towards the palm of the hand. Loss of hand function results as the fingers become fixed in a flexed position. Traditionally, surgery is used to allow the fingers to straighten and improve finger function. As an alternative to surgery, researchers are studying an injected enzyme (Clostridial collagenase) that dissolves the diseased tissue.
So far, the enzyme injections appear to work well. In phase-2 clinical trials, the enzyme injections resulted in freeing the fingers for the majority of the participants. Recurrence rates were low. Researchers are in the third phase of the FDA study of Clostridial collagenase, the last phase of clinical study before FDA approval is granted and the enzyme injections can be used as a treatment method for the general public.