Topical Retinaldehyde with Glycolic Acid: Study of Tolerance and Acceptability in Association with Anti-Acne Treatments in 1,709 Patients

The role of topical dermocosmetics in acne vulgaris

Acne is a common chronic inflammatory disease and treatment modalities based on acne severity are well established. The role of dermocosmetics in dermatology, and in particular acne, is becoming more important as more research elucidates the mechanisms of action of products in the pathogenesis of acne. Dermocosmetics have the potential to be used as monotherapy or in combination with medical treatment. Therefore, it has become important for dermatologists to understand dermocosmetics to effectively and appropriately advise patients on their use. The objective of this review was to provide new insights into the role of traditional and novel ingredients in dermocosmetics for the treatment of acne, based on the authors' objective assessment of the published literature. The type of products discussed include: those which have a sebostatic effect, such as topical antioxidants and niacinamide; agents targeting abnormal keratinization, such as salicylic acid, lipo-hydroxy acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, retinol-based products and linoleic acid; agents targeting Propionibacterium acnes, such as lauric acid; and anti-inflammatory agents such as nicotinamide, alpha-linolenic acid and zinc salts. Despite the scientific advances in understanding these cosmetic ingredients, there still remains a lack of rigorous controlled studies in this area.

Antileishmanial Activity of Disulfiram and Thiuram Disulfide Analogs in an Ex Vivo Model System Is Selectively Enhanced by the Addition of Divalent Metal Ions

Current treatments for cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis are toxic, expensive, difficult to administer, and limited in efficacy and availability. Disulfiram has primarily been used to treat alcoholism. More recently, it has shown some efficacy as therapy against protozoan pathogens and certain cancers, suggesting a wide range of biological activities. We used an ex vivo system to screen several thiuram disulfide compounds for antileishmanial activity. We found five compounds (compound identifier [CID] 7188, 5455, 95876, 12892, and 3117 [disulfiram]) with anti-Leishmania activity at nanomolar concentrations. We further evaluated these compounds with the addition of divalent metal salts based on studies that indicated these salts could potentiate the action of disulfiram. In addition, clinical studies suggested that zinc has some efficacy in treating cutaneous leishmaniasis. Several divalent metal salts were evaluated at 1 μM, which is lower than the normal levels of copper and zinc in plasma of healthy individuals. The leishmanicidal activity of disulfiram and CID 7188 were enhanced by several divalent metal salts at 1 μM. The in vitro therapeutic index (IVTI) of disulfiram and CID 7188 increased 12- and 2.3-fold, respectively, against L. major when combined with ZnCl2. The combination of disulfiram with ZnSO4 resulted in a 1.8-fold increase in IVTI against L. donovani. This novel combination of thiuram disulfides and divalent metal ions salts could have application as topical and/or oral therapies for treatment of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis.

Current and future treatment options for acne

Acne is a frequent skin disease with abnormalities in the process of keratinization, sebaceous gland functioning and inflammation. In this review, our understanding of the pathogenesis of acne has been updated. An overview of efficacy and side effects of available anti-acne treatments is presented. Based on the present overview a recommendation for the treatment of various manifestations of acne is provided, also reconciling beneficial combinations of treatments. It is attractive to speculate that the increased insight into the pathogenesis of acne will create new treatment options. Challenging new options comprise blue light, photodynamic therapy, retinoic acid metabolism blocking agents and inhibitors of Th-1 cytokines.

Effective over-the-counter acne treatments

Acne is the most common disease of the skin, yet only a fraction of acne sufferers are treated with prescription products by physicians. There is, however, a large and expanding market for over-the-counter (OTC) medications, many of which are not only effective but also well tolerated and cosmetically elegant. Given the presence of OTC acne medications on the television, the Internet, and store shelves, patients will be acutely aware of these OTC remedies and will have questions. Patients will expect dermatologists to advise them regarding products to use either as a sole therapy or in combination with prescription drugs. Recently, combinations of OTC acne medications in treatment regimens or "kits" have gained popularity and appear to have increased patient compliance. Quality-of-life outcomes from OTC medication use, in at least one study, have demonstrated good benefit. The most common OTC ingredients include benzoyl peroxide, a potent antibacterial agent, and salicylic acid, a mild comedolytic and antiinflammatory medication. Other, less-common OTC ingredients include sulfur, sodium sulfacetamide, and alpha hydroxy acids. Zinc, vitamin A, tea tree oil, and ayurvedic therapies also are available OTC for acne. Additional and better studies are needed to clarify the benefit of these latter medications.

Topical retinoids in acne--an evidence-based overview

Topical retinoids are important tools in the management of acne because they act against comedones and microcomedones and have direct anti-inflammatory effects. The substances approved for acne treatment comprise tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid), isotretinoin (13-cis retinoic acid) as well as the synthetic third-generation polyaromatic retinoids adapalene and tazarotene, the latter being approved for acne treatment in the US only. Retinaldehyde is used in cosmetic preparations against acne. All topical retinoids are effective as single agents in mild to moderate acne but differ in efficacy and tolerability. Tazarotene 0.1% is more effective than tretinoin 0.025% or 0.1% microsphere gel or adapalene 0.1% gel or cream (EBM-level 2c). Adapalene 0.1% is equally effective to tretinoin 0.025% or tretinoin microsphere 0.1% gel or tretinoin 0.05% cream or isotretinoin 0.05% gel (EBM-level 2c). Adapalene 0.1% gel is significantly better tolerated than tazarotene 0.1% gel, tretinoin 0.025% and tretinoin 0.05% gel, tretinoin 0.05% cream, tretinoin microsphere 0.1% gel or isotretinoin 0.05% gel (EBM-level 2c). The safety profile of topical retinoids differs from their systemic counterparts and is related mainly to local adverse effects, such as erythema, dryness, itching and stinging. The currently available evidence justifies the use of topical retinoids in most types of acne and during maintenance treatment.

Combined 0.1% Retinaldehyde/ 6% Glycolic Acid Cream in Prophylaxis and Treatment of Acne Scarring

BACKGROUND

Acne often results in permanent, badly tolerated, difficult to treat scars.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a 0.1% retinaldehyde/6% glycolic acid (RALGA) cream at preventing and treating acne scarring in patients previously treated for moderate acne.

METHODS

A double-blind vehicle-controlled study was conducted in 145 patients randomized to apply RALGAor vehicle cream every evening for 3 months. Global scarring score and patient's assessment of global efficacy, then residual acne lesions, quality of life and tolerance were evaluated at inclusion and each month until study completion.

RESULTS

Global scarring score, number of inflammatory lesions and comedones significantly improved in each group from day 28 (p<0.0001). Number of inflammatory lesions were significantly decreased only in the RALGA group. RALGA cream was more efficient than vehicle on scarring after 3 months in compliant patients (p=0.007) due to erythema and hyperpigmentation improvement.

CONCLUSION

RALGA cream is efficient at preventing and treating acne scarring in patients with moderate acne.