2-grade Improvement Research Articles

Efficacy and Safety of a Fixed-Dose Combination Gel with Adapalene 0.1% and Clindamycin 1% for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris (CACTUS): A Randomized, Controlled, Assessor-Blind, PhaseIII Clinical Trial.

Combination therapy is required for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris. However, patient compliance in applying multiple topical formulations is poor. To assess the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination gel with adapalene 0.1% and clindamycin 1% (adapalene-clindamycin) relative to adapalene 0.1% monotherapy and clindamycin 1% monotherapy in patients with moderate facial acne vulgaris. This was a randomized, controlled, assessor-blind, phaseIII study conducted in patients with moderate facial acne vulgaris. A total of 1617 patients were enrolled. At week12, patients in the adapalene-clindamycin gel treatment group showed a significant reduction in the percentage change from baseline in total lesion count (- 66.85%), compared with adapalene alone (- 50.82%) or clindamycin gel alone (- 57.61%). The difference in the least square means of the adapalene-clindamycin gel group and adapalene group, or clindamycin gel group was - 16.08% (95%CI - 19.95% to - 12.21%) and - 9.38% (95%CI - 13.25% to - 5.51%;), respectively. At week12, 19.28% of participants who received adapalene-clindamycin gel achieved at least 2-grade improvement in IGA, versus 7.74% with adapalene gel (OR 3.05, 95%CI 1.93, 4.80) and 14.77% with clindamycin gel (OR 1.42, 95%CI 0.97, 2.07). The study also achieved all its secondary endpoints. Adverse event rates were mostly mild to moderate and comparable across the three treatment groups. Adapalene 0.1%-clindamycin 1% combination gel is well tolerated and demonstrated superior efficacy over 0.1% adapalene gel monotherapy and 1% clindamycin gel monotherapy for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03615768.

Improving Neck and Jawline Aesthetics With OnabotulinumtoxinA by Minimizing Platysma Muscle Contraction Effects: Efficacy and Safety Results in a Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Platysma prominence (PP) describes the noticeable appearance of the platysma muscle upon contraction, causing less defined jawline contour and vertical neck bands. To assess safety and efficacy of onabotulinumtoxinA for improvement of PP in adults. Participants with moderate-to-severe (Grade 3 to 4) PP at maximum contraction received onabotulinumtoxinA or placebo on Day 1 and were monitored for 120 days. OnabotulinumtoxinA dosage (26, 31, or 36 U) was customized based on baseline PP severity on each side of the neck. Efficacy analyses were conducted in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population (all randomized participants), and modified ITT population (mITT; psychosocially impacted by PP appearance). Results from ITT and mITT populations were comparable. As assessed by investigators, 76.7% of onabotulinumtoxinA mITT participants achieved ≥1-grade improvement versus 21.2% in the placebo group, and 41.0% versus 2.2% (P < 0.0001) achieved ≥2-grade improvement at Day 14. As assessed by participants, 79.9% of onabotulinumtoxinA mITT participants versus 21.8% in the placebo group and 40.8% versus 3.9% (P < 0.0001) achieved ≥1- or ≥2-grade improvement, respectively, at Day 14. OnabotulinumtoxinA responder rates remained higher than placebo through Day 120, gradually declining over time. OnabotulinumtoxinA participants reported significantly higher satisfaction with treatment effect, lower bother from jawline and vertical neck bands, and lower psychosocial impact from PP than placebo at Day 14 (P < 0.0001). OnabotulinumtoxinA effectively improved self-perceived jawline definition and was well tolerated. OnabotulinumtoxinA was well tolerated and effective in improving moderate-to-severe PP, including neck bands and jawline definition.

IncobotulinumtoxinA in the Treatment of Upper Facial Lines: Results From Two Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Studies.

Two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase III studies of incobotulinumtoxinA for treating upper facial lines (UFL; combination of glabellar frown lines [GFL], horizontal forehead lines [HFL] and lateral canthal lines [LCL]) were conducted in the US (ULTRA I: NCT04594213) and Germany (ULTRA II: NCT04622254). To evaluate safety and efficacy of simultaneous intramuscular injections for UFL. Longer-term safety and efficacy were assessed in open-label extension periods (OLEX). Healthy participants (≥18 years) with moderate-to-severe GFL, HFL and symmetrical LCL at maximum contraction on the five-point Merz Aesthetics Scales (MAS) were randomized 2:1:1 to receive up to 64 Units of incobotulinumtoxinA in the main period (MP) for each trial. Treatment groups were: UFL, GFL & HFL (ULTRA I), LCL (ULTRA II) and placebo. Primary efficacy endpoints were the proportions of GFL, HFL and LCL responders, defined as a MAS score for the respective area of 0 (no) or 1 (mild) and ≥2-grade improvement from baseline to Day 30, as assessed by both investigator and participant. Overall, 362 and 368 participants received treatment in ULTRA I and ULTRA II, respectively. In both studies, incobotulinumtoxinA treatment was significantly more effective than placebo with respect to the primary endpoint (p < 0.0001) and key secondary endpoints (p < 0.0001). OLEX results were consistent with those seen in the MP. No new safety findings were identified. In ULTRA I and ULTRA II, safety and efficacy of incobotulinumtoxinA for the simultaneous treatment of moderate-to-severe UFL were demonstrated, with significant improvements across all primary and secondary endpoints versus placebo.

Efficacy and Safety of Ruxolitinib Cream in Atopic Dermatitis Based on Previous Medication History.

For some patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), topical corticosteroids (TCS), topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCI), and systemic therapies are inadequate to control disease or are associated with adverse events (AEs). Ruxolitinib cream monotherapy demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic effects among patients enrolled in two pivotal phase 3 studies (TRuE-AD1/TRuE-AD2); most patients had long-term disease control with as-needed use during the 44-week long-term safety (LTS) period. This post hoc analysis explored efficacy and safety of 1.5% ruxolitinib cream by previous medication use. Patients aged ≥ 12years enrolled in TRuE-AD1/TRuE-AD2 were randomized 2:2:1 to twice-daily 0.75% or 1.5% ruxolitinib cream or vehicle cream for 8 weeks, followed by a 44-week LTS period; patients initially on vehicle were re-randomized 1:1 to either ruxolitinib cream strength. Within 12months of enrollment (N = 1249), previous AD therapies were used by 89.4% of efficacy-evaluable patients applying vehicle or ruxolitinib cream (n = 725); of these, 80.4% received TCS (n = 583), 22.2% TCI (n = 161), 20.3% TCS + TCI (n = 147), and 18.9% systemic therapies (n = 137). Across previous medication subgroups, achievement of Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA)-treatment success (IGA 0/1 with ≥ 2-grade improvement from baseline), ≥ 75% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index from baseline, and ≥ 4-point improvement in Itch numerical rating scale score from baseline at Week 8 did not substantially differ among patients who applied ruxolitinib cream. Outcomes were similar to those in the overall study population. At all study visits during the LTS period, > 70% of patients in each subgroup had IGA 0/1 and a low percentage (generally < 3%) of affected body surface area. Treatment-related AEs across subgroups were reported in 7.3% (n = 35/481)to17.4% (n = 19/109) of patients. Continuous-use ruxolitinib cream monotherapy for 8weeks followed by as-needed use was effective and well tolerated, regardless of previous topical or systemic therapy, with outcomes similar to those achieved in the overall study population. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT03745638/NCT03745651.

Roflumilast Cream, 0.15%, for Atopic Dermatitis in Adults and Children

Safe, effective, and well-tolerated topical treatment options available for long-term use in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) are limited and associated with low adherence rates. To evaluate efficacy and safety of once-daily roflumilast cream, 0.15%, vs vehicle cream in patients with AD. Two phase 3, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials (Interventional Trial Evaluating Roflumilast Cream for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis 1 and 2 [INTEGUMENT-1 and INTEGUMENT-2]), included patients from sites in the US, Canada, and Poland. Participants were 6 years or older with mild to moderate AD based on Validated Global Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis (assessed on a 5-point scale ranging from 0 [clear] to 4 [severe]). Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive roflumilast cream, 0.15%, or vehicle cream once daily for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was Validated Investigator Global Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis success at week 4, defined as a score of 0 or 1 plus at least a 2-grade improvement from baseline. Secondary end points included Eczema Area and Severity Index and Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale. Safety and local tolerability were also evaluated. Among 1337 patients (654 patients in INTEGUMENT-1 and 683 patients in INTEGUMENT-2), the mean (SD) age was 27.7 (19.2) years, and 761 participants (56.9%) were female. The mean body surface area involved was 13.6% (SD = 11.6%; range, 3.0% to 88.0%). Significantly more patients treated with roflumilast than vehicle achieved the primary end point (INTEGUMENT-1: 32.0% vs 15.2%, respectively; P < .001; INTEGUMENT-2: 28.9% vs 12.0%, respectively; P < .001). At week 4, statistically significant differences favoring roflumilast also occurred for the achievement of at least 75% reduction in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (INTEGUMENT-1: 43.2% vs 22.0%, respectively; P < .001; INTEGUMENT-2: 42.0% vs 19.7%, respectively; P < .001). Roflumilast was well tolerated with low rates of treatment-emergent adverse events. At each time point, investigators noted no signs of irritation at the application site in 885 patients who were treated with roflumilast (≥95%), and 885 patients who were treated with roflumilast (90%) reported no or mild sensation at the application site. In 2 phase 3 trials enrolling adults and children, once-daily roflumilast cream, 0.15%, improved AD relative to vehicle cream, based on multiple efficacy end points, with favorable safety and tolerability. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT04773587, NCT04773600.

Tapinarof cream for the treatment of atopic dermatitis: Efficacy and safety results from two Japanese phase 3 trials.

Tapinarof is a nonsteroidal, topical, aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of tapinarof cream 1% in Japanese patients aged ≥12 years with atopic dermatitis (AD) in two phase 3 trials, ZBB4-1 and ZBB4-2. ZBB4-1 (N = 216) consisted of an 8-week, double-blind, vehicle-controlled treatment period (period 1) and a 16-week extension treatment period (period 2). Patients were randomized 2:1 to tapinarof or vehicle in period 1; subsequently, all patients who enrolled in period 2 received tapinarof. ZBB4-2 (N = 291) was a 52-week, open-label, uncontrolled trial in which all patients received tapinarof. In period 1 of ZBB4-1, the proportion of patients who achieved an Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) with ≥2-grade improvement from baseline at week 8 (IGA treatment success, the primary end point) was 20.24% in the tapinarof group and 2.24% in the vehicle group (p = 0.0007). The proportion of patients with ≥75% improvement from baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score at week 8 (EASI-75 response, the key secondary end point) was 40.3% in the tapinarof group and 4.3% in the vehicle group (p < 0.0001). In ZBB4-2, IGA treatment success rate was 28.1% at week 16, 32.3% at week 24, and 41.3% at week 52, and EASI-75 response rate was 53.3% at week 16, 63.7% at week 24, and 76.6% at week 52, indicating that efficacy responses improved over time and were maintained over 52 weeks. Across the two trials, most adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate; common AEs included folliculitis, acne, and headache. In summary, tapinarof cream 1% was effective and generally safe for up to 52 weeks of treatment in Japanese patients with AD.

Efficacy and Safety of Topical Roflumilast for the Treatment of Psoriasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Plaque psoriasis is commonly treated topically with glucocorticoids and vitamin D derivatives. However, potential side effects such as skin atrophy underscore the need for safe and effective alternative topical therapies. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada approved roflumilast 0.3% cream as an option for treating this disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of topical roflumilast 0.3% compared with vehicle for plaque psoriasis. PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to 1 May 2024, assessing the outcomes of Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) or body-IGA success (clear or almost clear status plus an at least 2-grade improvement from baseline), Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)-50, PASI-75, PASI-90, intertriginous-IGA success (clear or almost clear status on the intertriginous-IGA plus an at least 2-grade improvement from baseline), and adverse events (AEs). Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager, R software, and RStudio. Heterogeneity was determined using the Cochran Q test and I2 statistics. Four RCTs were included, comprising a total of 1403 patients, of whom 885 (63.1%) received topical roflumilast 0.3% and 518 (36.9%) received vehicle. At week 8, the achievement of IGA or body-IGA success was significantly higher among those treated with topical roflumilast than in the vehicle group [relative risk (RR) 5.07; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.55-7.23; p < 0.01]. Similar findings were observed at week 8 for PASI-50 (RR 2.73; 95% CI 2.27-3.29; p < 0.01), PASI-75 (RR 4.48; 95% CI 2.26-8.89; p < 0.01), and PASI-90 (RR 5.61; 95% CI 2.57-12.25; p < 0.01). Corresponding outcomes were found at weeks 2, 4, and 6. Additionally, a higher percentage of patients treated with topical roflumilast 0.3% once daily achieved intertriginous-IGA success, compared with those receiving vehicle, at week 8 (71.9% versus 20.5%; RR 3.32; 95% CI 2.11-5.22; p < 0.01), with similar findings at weeks 2, 4, and 6. While a significant difference was observed in the overall incidence of AEs between the topical roflumilast and vehicle groups, there was no difference in treatment-related AEs, serious AEs, or AEs leading to study discontinuation. These findings support the superiority of topical roflumilast 0.3% over vehicle and suggest its use as a valuable asset for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), CRD42023456494.

Tapinarof cream for the treatment of plaque psoriasis: Efficacy and safety results from 2 Japanese phase 3 trials.

Tapinarof is a non-steroidal, topical, aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of tapinarof cream (1%) in Japanese patients aged ≥18 years with plaque psoriasis in two phase 3 trials, ZBA4-1 and ZBA4-2. ZBA4-1 (N = 158) consisted of a 12-week, double-blind, vehicle-controlled treatment period (period 1) and a 12-week extension treatment period (period 2). Patients were randomized 2:1 to tapinarof or vehicle in period 1; subsequently, all patients who were enrolled in period 2 received tapinarof. ZBA4-2 (N = 305) was a 52-week, open-label, uncontrolled trial in which all patients received tapinarof. In period 1 of ZBA4-1, the proportion of patients who achieved a Physician Global Assessment (PGA) score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) with ≥2-grade improvement from baseline at week 12 (PGA treatment success, the primary endpoint) was 20.06% in the tapinarof group and 2.50% in the vehicle group (p = 0.0035). The proportion of patients with ≥75% improvement from baseline in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score at week 12 (PASI75 response, a key secondary endpoint) was 37.7% in the tapinarof group and 3.8% in the vehicle group (p < 0.0001). In ZBA4-2, PGA treatment success rate was 30.0% at week 12, 51.3% at week 24, and 56.3% at week 52, and PASI75 response rate was 50.4% at week 12, 77.5% at week 24, and 79.9% at week 52, indicating that efficacy responses improved over time and were maintained over 52 weeks. Across the two trials, most adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate; common AEs included folliculitis and contact dermatitis. In summary, tapinarof cream (1%) was efficacious and generally safe for up to 52 weeks of treatment in Japanese patients with plaque psoriasis.

A Review of Current Data on Duration of Effect in Glabellar Lines After Treatment With AbobotulinumtoxinA 50 U.

AbobotulinumtoxinA has become well established as a treatment option for moderate to severe glabellar lines since its first aesthetic approval in 2009. Pivotal trials leading to regulatory approval showed that abobotulinumtoxinA treatment was associated with high responder rates when defined as achievement of none or mild glabellar lines (0 or 1 on the glabellar line severity scale) and a duration of action of up to 5 months. More recently, the goals for treatment of glabellar lines have shifted toward not only achieving a decrease in glabellar line severity but also ensuring that patients are satisfied with their experience. Patients seek an improvement in the appearance of their glabellar lines while maintaining a "natural look," fast onset of effect, and long duration of response. Trial designs have evolved to meet these new targets, including expanding the definition of responders to those having at least 1-grade improvement in the glabellar line severity scale score from baseline coupled with the use of subject satisfaction and psychological well-being questionnaires. The findings demonstrate that abobotulinumtoxinA remains a well-tolerated and consistently effective treatment option associated with a rapid onset of effect, duration of efficacy lasting up to 6 months, and high, long-lasting levels of patient satisfaction.

Tapinarof Cream 1% Once Daily is Efficacious for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Patients with Skin of Color Down to 2 Years of Age in Two Pivotal Phase 3 Trials

Introduction: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and skin of color can have heterogeneous presentations and treatment responses. In the pivotal phase 3 ADORING 1 and 2 trials, tapinarof cream 1% (VTAMA®, Dermavant Sciences, Inc.) once daily (QD) was significantly efficacious and well tolerated versus vehicle in adults and children down to 2 years of age with AD. Objective: Here, we report analyses of efficacy by skin color in ADORING 1 and 2, based on patients’ self-identified race and investigator-assessed Fitzpatrick skin type. Methods: In ADORING 1 and 2, patients with a Validated Investigator Global Assessment for Atopic DermatitisTM (vIGA-ADTM) score of ≥3, an Eczema Area and Severity Index score of ≥6, and body surface area involvement of 5–35% were randomized 2:1 to tapinarof cream or vehicle QD for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was a vIGA-ADTM score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) and ≥2-grade improvement from baseline at Week 8. Secondary endpoints included proportion of patients with a ≥75% improvement in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI75). Results: Of the 407 and 406 randomized patients, 8.8–15.3% were Asian, 26.5–35.0% were Black, 44.8–56.8% were White, and 2.7–5.2% were Other groups (American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or multiple races) across trials. Patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV, V, and VI represented 23.8–25.1%, 20.6–22.2%, and 7.6–8.9%, respectively, of patients (&gt;50% in both trials). Across trials, vIGA-ADTM responses (ranges) for tapinarof versus vehicle were: Asian, 39.5–48.9% vs 3.7–18.5%; Black, 43.1–47.0% vs 17.5–24.1%; White, 49.4–52.1% vs 12.2–14.5%; and Other, 26.0–44.8% vs 0.0–40.2%. EASI75 responses for tapinarof versus vehicle were: Asian, 47.6–76.6% vs 17.7–20.2%; Black, 48.9–55.3% vs 25.7–30.0%; White, 61.4–67.8% vs 19.6–20.7%; and Other, 38.3–63.3% vs 0.0–40.6%. Similarly, high and consistent vIGA-ADTM and EASI75 responses were reported with tapinarof versus vehicle in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I–III and IV–VI. Conclusion: Tapinarof cream 1% QD was consistently efficacious among all racial groups and Fitzpatrick skin types in adults and children down to 2 years of age with AD, including patients with skin of color, who were highly represented in these trials.

Ruxolitinib Cream in Adolescents/Adults with Atopic Dermatitis Meeting Severity Thresholds for Systemic Therapy: Exploratory Analysis of Pooled Results from Two Phase3 Studies.

Standard therapy for patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (AD) typically includes topical therapies; however, patients with more extensive AD and/or AD refractory to topical therapy may benefit from systemic treatment. Ruxolitinib cream monotherapy has demonstrated superior antipruritic and anti-inflammatory effects versus vehicle in patients with mild to moderate AD, and long-term disease control with as-needed use. Here, efficacy/safety of 1.5% ruxolitinib cream through 52weeks was assessed in a subset of patients with moderate and/or more extensive disease. This post hoc analysis of TRuE-AD1/TRuE-AD2 included patients who, at baseline, had Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score of 3, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) ≥ 16, and affected body surface area (BSA) ≥ 10% (higher severity of disease threshold subgroup). Disease control and safety were assessed. Of 1249 patients in the overall population, 78 (6.2%) met all higher severity of disease threshold criteria (continuous-use vehicle-controlled period: 1.5% ruxolitinib cream, n = 32; vehicle, n = 13); 28 and 4 of these patients, respectively, continued as-needed 1.5% ruxolitinib cream during the long-term safety (LTS) period. At week8 (continuous-use), IGA-treatment success (IGA0/1, with ≥ 2-grade improvement from baseline) was achieved by 19/32 (59.4%) patients applying 1.5% ruxolitinib cream versus no patients applying vehicle. In the LTS period, those achieving clear/almost clear skin increased from 19/28 patients (67.9%; continuous-use: week8) to 18/23 patients (78.3%; as-needed use: week52) in patients applying ruxolitinib cream from day1. Ruxolitinib cream was well tolerated, with few application site reactions, regardless of disease severity threshold. Efficacy and safety results were similar to the overall study population. Patients with AD who meet standard disease severity eligibility criteria for systemic therapy may achieve IGA-treatment success with clear/almost clear skin with continuous-use ruxolitinib cream, and maintain long term-disease control with as-needed ruxolitinib cream monotherapy. NCT03745638/NCT03745651.

Safe and Effective Restoration of Jawline Definition With Hyaluronic Acid Injectable Gel VYC-25L: Results From a Randomized Controlled Study.

A well-defined jawline improves overall facial aesthetics, thus motivating patients to seek jawline augmentation. This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the hyaluronic acid injectable gel VYC-25L for restoring jawline definition. A US multicenter, evaluator-blinded study randomized adults with grade 2 (moderate) or 3 (severe) Allergan Loss of Jawline Definition Scale (ALJDS) scores. Participants were randomized to VYC-25L treatment group or control group at study onset, with 12 months follow-up. The control group had the option to receive treatment after 6 months (primary endpoint completion). Effectiveness measures included month 6 ALJDS responders rate (proportion of participants with ≥1-grade improvement from baseline on both sides), FACE-Q Satisfaction With Lower Face and Jawline scores, and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) responders (improved/much improved) as assessed by the investigator and participants. Injection site responses (ISRs) and adverse events (AEs) were monitored. At month 6, ALJDS responder rates were 69.0% versus 38.0% in the VYC-25L treatment (n = 157) and control (n = 49) groups, respectively (p = .0001). In the VYC-25L treatment group, FACE-Q scores improved by a mean of 45.9 points versus baseline at month 6 (p < .0001). Furthermore, 88.4% and 89.0% of participants in the VYC-25L treatment group were GAIS responders on month 6 by participant- and investigator-assessment, respectively. Most ISRs were mild or moderate and resolved within 2 weeks. Most treatment-related AEs were mild and resolved within a week. VYC-25L safely and effectively restores jawline definition through 1 year.

Efficacy and Safety of RelabotulinumtoxinA, a New Ready-to-Use Liquid Formulation Botulinum Toxin: Results From the READY-1 Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Trial in Glabellar Lines.

RelabotulinumtoxinA (RelaBoNT-A, Galderma, Uppsala, Sweden) is an innovative, ready-to-use liquid botulinum toxin A, produced using PEARLTM manufacturing technology that yields a potent, complex-free formulation. The READY-1 study examined efficacy and safety outcomes following a single RelaBoNT-A treatment for glabellar line correction. Adults with moderate-to-severe glabellar lines received RelaBoNT-A (50 U) or placebo in a 3:1 randomized, 6-month, Phase 3, multicenter, double-blind study. Primary endpoints (examined at Month 1, maximum frown) comprised the composite ≥2-grade response, defined as ≥2-grades' improvement from baseline on concurrent investigator (GL-ILA) and subject (GL-SLA) severity scales (US endpoint), and the investigator-reported responder rate for subjects scored as 0 (none) or 1 (mild) (GL-ILA scale only; EU endpoint). Subject satisfaction and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported. Overall, 297 adults were randomized and treated. Month 1 composite ≥2-grade responder rate was 82.9% (RelaBoNT-A, N=199) versus 0% (placebo, N=67; p<0.001). Month 1 investigator-reported none-or-mild responder rate was 96.3% (RelaBoNT-A) versus 4.5% (placebo; p<0.001). GL-ILA scores (none-or-mild; ≥1-grade improvement) remained higher with RelaBoNT-A (23.6%; 58.1%) versus placebo (1.5%; 10.4%) through Month 6 (p<0.001). In the Kaplan-Meier analysis, 75% still showed GL-ILA and GL-SLA improvements from baseline at 169 days (end-of-study). Subjects reported onset of effect from Day 1 (39%) and satisfaction with natural-looking results (96.8%; Month 1). RelaBoNT-A-related TEAEs were low (3.6%) and typically mild. A single RelaBoNT-A treatment was effective and demonstrated a favorable safety profile. RelaBoNT-A provided significant improvements in glabellar line severity, high satisfaction, rapid onset, and enduring effectiveness throughout the 6-month study period.

Tapinarof cream 1% once daily: Significant efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and children down to 2 years of age in the pivotal phase 3 ADORING trials

Tapinarof cream 1% once daily (QD), a topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist, downregulates pro-inflammatory Th2 cytokines, upregulates skin-barrier components, and reduces oxidative stress. To assess tapinarof efficacy and safety in adults and children down to 2 years of age with atopic dermatitis (AD). Eight hundred and thirteen patients were randomized to tapinarof or vehicle QD in two 8-week phase 3 trials. The primary efficacy endpoint, Validated Investigator Global Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis score of 0 or 1 and ≥2-grade improvement from baseline at Week 8, was met with statistical significance in both trials: 45.4% versus 13.9% and 46.4% versus 18.0% (tapinarof vs vehicle; both P<.0001). Significantly superior Eczema Area and Severity Index 75 (EASI75) responses were also observed with tapinarof versus vehicle at Week 8: 55.8% versus 22.9% and 59.1% versus 21.2% (both P<.0001). Rapid improvements in patient-reported pruritus were also significant with tapinarof versus vehicle. Common adverse events (≥5%) of folliculitis, headache, and nasopharyngitis were mostly mild or moderate, with lower discontinuations due to adverse events in the tapinarof groups than with vehicle. Long-term efficacy was not assessed. Tapinarof demonstrated highly significant efficacy and favorable safety and tolerability in a diverse population of patients with AD down to 2years of age.

Photodynamic Skincare: A Prospective Single-Center Study.

Peer-reviewed, clinical studies measuring the efficacy and usability of skin care products enhance their integrity and may guide experts in the field in providing recommendations. A single-blind, prospective clinical study was designed to assess the subject satisfaction, clinical benefit, and safety of three photodynamic topical formulations referred to as MMSRepose (MMSRep), MMSRevive (MMSRev), and MMSBalance (MMSB).&nbsp; Methods: Thirteen male and female patients (mean age 49&nbsp;+/- 17.8 years) applied one of the three topical serums twice daily over a period of 12 weeks. Subjects returned for photography, and blinded investigator evaluation of rhytides (fine lines) and dyspigmentation were measured on a 6- and 4-point scale, respectively. Patient-perceived efficacy of multiple clinical outcomes was measured on a 5-point scale.&nbsp; Results: 100% of subjects reported at least a 1-grade improvement in global aesthetic at the conclusion of the study. Investigator assessment revealed an overall 53.3% decrease in rhytides, correlating to a mean point reduction from 1.65 +/- 0.77 to 0.77&nbsp;+/- 0.53 (P&lt;0.001) from baseline to week 12. Investigator assessment of dyspigmentation revealed a 62.7% decrease, correlating to a mean point reduction of 1.85 +/- 0.68 from week 1 to 0.69&nbsp;+/- 0.48 at week 12 (P&lt;0.001). Photodynamic serums demonstrate clinical efficacy in skin rejuvenation and high user satisfaction. There were no serious adverse events. This study is limited by the inability to randomize to placebo due to the small sample size, as subject retention was heavily impacted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Future studies may be indicated to undergo comparison with a larger cohort.&nbsp; J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(5):332-337. doi:10.36849/JDD.7167.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Clascoterone, Trifarotene, and Tazarotene for the Treatment of Acne: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Acne vulgaris, a chronic inflammatory condition, is associated with significant physical and psychosocial burden. Since 2019, three new topical agents for acne vulgaris have been approved in the USA and Canada. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy between twice-daily clascoterone cream 1%, once-daily trifarotene 0.005% cream, and once-daily tazarotene 0.045% lotion for acne treatment. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing clascoterone, trifarotene, or tazarotene with vehicle in patients with moderate-to-severe acne were identified from a systematic literature review and included in a meta-analysis. Primary outcomes were percentage reduction in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion count (ILC and NILC, respectively) and treatment success rate (≥ 2-grade improvement in Investigator's Global Assessment or Evaluator's Global Severity Score and a rating of clear or almost clear) at week 12. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models with the inverse variance method were used to calculate the mean difference (MD) for percentage reduction in ILC and NILC, and odds ratios (ORs) for the rate of treatment success. Six Phase 3 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. The analyses showed robust differences favoring the interventions for ILC (MD: - 11.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: - 14.39, - 8.62), NILC (MD: - 12.25; 95% CI: - 15.21, - 9.29), and treatment success rate (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.81, 2.53). No differences were observed between clascoterone, trifarotene, and tazarotene for ILC (MD: - 12.8, - 11.2, and - 10.1, respectively), NILC (MD: - 11.6, - 13.9, and - 12.8, respectively), or treatment success rate (OR: 2.9, 1.9, and 2.1, respectively (all P > 0.05). No significant differences in efficacy were observed between clascoterone, trifarotene, and tazarotene after 12weeks of treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe acne. Differences in application frequency and safety profile should also be taken into consideration when making treatment decisions.

"Efficacy and Safety of OnabotulinumtoxinA for the Treatment of Platysma Prominence: A Randomized Phase 2 Dose-Ranging Study".

With aging, repetitive contraction of the platysma leads to an increase in platysma prominence (PP) characterized by the accentuation of vertical neck bands and blunting of the jawline's contour. This multicenter, double-blind, phase 2 study evaluated onabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA) treatment in adults with Moderate to Severe PP. Participants were randomized to receive 1 treatment of onabotA low dose (LD), onabotA high dose (HD), or placebo, and were followed for 4 months. Efficacy endpoints were the achievement of a ≥ 1-grade improvement on both the left and right sides at Day 14 at maximum contraction as assessed by the investigator (primary) or by participants (secondary) using validated scales. Safety was evaluated throughout. Participants in the modified intent-to-treat population (N = 164) had a mean age of 50 years; 95.1% were female and 93.9% were White. The primary endpoint was met for both onabotA groups, with investigator-assessed ≥ 1-grade improvement in 77.8% (LD) and 88.2% (HD) vs 12.0% (placebo) of participants on Day 14 (P < 0.0001 vs placebo). Based on participant self-assessment, 75.9% (LD) and 88.2% (HD) vs 18.0% (placebo) achieved ≥ 1-grade improvement on Day 14 (P < 0.0001 vs placebo). Most treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were procedure-related, transient, and mild in severity. The most frequent onabotA-related AE was neck muscle weakness, reported in the HD group. OnabotA was effective in improving the appearance of PP based on both investigators' and participants' ratings. Treatment was well tolerated.

The gold protocol: A combined treatment approach for neck rejuvenation with calcium hydroxyapatite, botulinum toxin, and hyaluronic acid in the same session.

The signs of aging seem to be more visible on the neck compared to other locations, especially if a patient has already gone through facial rejuvenation procedures. Treatment of the aging neck imposes a challenge to the clinician, since one single approach is usually not enough to achieve the desired result, requiring multiple injections and sessions, which apart from being painful for the patients, is time-consuming for the clinician. To describe the use of calcium hydroxyapatite, incobotulinum toxin type A and Cohesive poly-densified matrix hyaluronic acid diluted in the same syringe and injected in the same session for neck rejuvenation. Fifteen women, older than 18 years, with cervical skin flaccidity grade 1-4 in a previously validated 5-point rating scale (Dermatologic Surg, 2016; 42, S94), who sought neck rejuvenation were injected in this pilot study with a single session with a combined hybrid mixture of calcium hydroxyapatite, incobotulinum toxin type A, and Cohesive poly-densified matrix hyaluronic acid and followed up for 90-180 days. At the 4-month post injection evaluation, 93.3% of the patients presented at least 1-grade improvement in the 5-point scale as evaluated by the investigator. No serious adverse events were reported, being most mild and transient in nature. CaHA, incoBonTA, and CPM-HA have complementary mechanisms of action and may be injected from the same syringe in the same session, boosting the final outcome, with high patient satisfaction, and ease of process for both patients and clinicians.

Clinical Efficacy and Patient Reported Impacts of Roflumilast Foam 0.3% in Seborrheic Dermatitis: An Analysis of STRATUM Data for Patients Unresponsive or Intolerant to Topical Corticosteroids

Objective. Roflumilast foam 0.3% has demonstrated efficacy and tolerability in a Phase 3 clinical trial of moderate-to-severe seborrheic dermatitis (SD) patients (STRATUM). The aim of this subgroup analysis is to assess the efficacy and patient-reported quality of life (QOL) effects of roflumilast vs vehicle in patients with an inadequate response, intolerance, or contraindication to topical corticosteroids (TCS).&#x0D; Methods: Patients 9 years or older with at least moderate seborrheic dermatitis (Investigator Global Assessment [IGA] ≥ 3) were randomized 2:1 to roflumilast or vehicle for 8 weeks. Patients reporting a history of inadequate response, intolerance, or contraindication to topical corticosteroids (TCS) were included in this subgroup analysis. The primary efficacy endpoint was IGA success (Clear or Almost Clear with at least a 2-grade improvement) at Week 8. QOL was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) for patients aged ≥17 years. QOL endpoints included percentage change from baseline in DLQI score, achievement of a minimal important difference (MID; defined as at least a 4-point reduction in DLQI score), and patients achieving a DLQI score of 0 or 1 by treatment group at weeks 2, 4, and 8. Differences in change from baseline DLQI scores were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. The Cochran–Mantel–Haenzel test was used to assess differences in the proportion of patients achieving binary endpoints between treatments.&#x0D; Results: 189 patients (129 roflumilast, 60 vehicle) were included in the subgroup analysis. At Week 8, 78.8% of roflumilast patients achieved IGA success vs. 48.3% of vehicle patients (odds ratio [OR] 3.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62, 7.36; p&lt;0.001). At each time point, percentage change from baseline in DLQI score was significantly larger for roflumilast-treated patients relative to vehicle (p≤0.001). Treatment with roflumilast significantly increased the odds of achieving an MID in DLQI across all time points (OR: 6.97; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.97, 12.24; p&lt;0.001) and achieving a DLQI score of 0 or 1 (OR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.58, 3.81; p&lt;0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions: Roflumilast foam 0.3% provided significant and meaningful efficacy with improved QOL in patients with moderate-to-severe SD who had a prior history of an inadequate response, intolerance, or contraindication to TCS. Clinical improvement aligned with patient-reported outcomes at all key assessment periods.

Roflumilast Cream 0.3% in Patients With Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: Individual Patient PASI and PASI-HD Responses: Pooled DERMIS-1 and DERMIS-2 Phase 3 Trials

Background: Roflumilast cream 0.3% is a highly potent phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor approved as a nonsteroidal, once-daily treatment for patients with plaque psoriasis. Pooled efficacy and safety results from two Phase 3 clinical trials (DERMIS-1 and DERMIS-2) have been presented previously. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) is used to assess the severity of plaque psoriasis in clinical trials; however, PASI is not precise when the area of involvement is &lt;10% of a given anatomic region. A modified version of the PASI, the PASI-high discrimination (PASI-HD), allows more precise assessment of psoriasis in body regions where &lt;10% area is affected. We present individual patient responses using PASI and PASI-HD.&#x0D; Methods: Patients aged ≥2 years with at least mild plaque psoriasis involving 2-20% body surface area were randomized 2:1 to apply roflumilast cream 0.3% or vehicle cream once daily for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) Success (score of Clear or Almost Clear plus ≥2-grade improvement from baseline) at Week 8. PASI and PASI-HD were used to measure disease severity; individual patient PASI and PASI-HD responses were plotted graphically. Safety and tolerability were also evaluated and were reported previously.&#x0D; Results: Roflumilast- and vehicle-treated patients had similar baseline demographic and disease characteristics. At Week 8, statistically significantly more roflumilast- than vehicle-treated patients achieved IGA Success (39.9% vs. 6.5%; P&lt;0.0001). Statistically significant differences favoring roflumilast were observed at Week 8 for percentages of patients achieving a 50% reduction in PASI (72.1% vs. 25.5%; P&lt;0.0001), 75% reduction (40.3% vs. 6.5%, P&lt;0.0001), 90% reduction (19.7% vs 2.3%; P&lt;0.0001), and 100% reduction (12.3% vs 0.8%; P&lt;0.001). Likewise, statistically significant differences favoring roflumilast were observed at Week 8 for percentages of patients achieving 50% reduction in PASI-HD (79.4% vs. 33.1%; P&lt;0.0001), 75% reduction (59.9% vs. 17.9%, P&lt;0.0001), 90% reduction (39.9% vs 9.1%; P&lt;0.0001), and 100% reduction (12.3% vs 0.8%; P&lt;0.0001). Roflumilast cream demonstrated low rates of application-site adverse events (AEs), treatment-related AEs, and discontinuations due to AEs, comparable to vehicle. At the first application of roflumilast cream 0.3% (day 1), 96% of patients reported no or mild sensation, increasing to 99% of patients at Weeks 4 and 8.&#x0D; Conclusions: Roflumilast cream 0.3% provided greater improvement in IGA Success, PASI, and PASI-HD versus vehicle with favorable safety and tolerability in patients with psoriasis in two Phase 3 trials. PASI-HD provided higher discrimination of effects of treatment in areas with &lt;10% involvement than the traditional PASI.&#x0D; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: DERMIS-1: NCT04211363; DERMIS-2: NCT04211389&#x0D; Financial Disclosures: Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.