Lack of significant anti-inflammatory activity with clindamycin in the treatment of rosacea: results of 2 randomized, vehicle-controlled trials

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of the face. The objective of the studies described here was to evaluate the efficacy of clindamycin in the treatment of rosacea. Two multicenter, randomized, vehicle-controlled, phase 2 studies were conducted in participants with moderate to severe rosacea. Study A was a 12-week dose-comparison, 5-arm, parallel group comparison of clindamycin cream 1% or vehicle once or twice daily and clindamycin cream 0.3% once daily. Study B was a 2-arm comparison of twice daily clindamycin gel 1% versus vehicle gel. A total of 629 participants (study A, N=416; study B, N=213) were randomized. The results of these studies indicated that clindamycin cream 0.3% and 1% and clindamycin gel 1% were no more effective than the vehicle in the treatment of moderate to severe rosacea, suggesting clindamycin has no intrinsic anti-inflammatory activity in rosacea.

Pharmacokinetics of ingenol mebutate gel under maximum use conditions in large treatment areas

PURPOSE

Actinic keratoses (AKs) exist on a continuum with squamous cell carcinoma and can occur as sub-clinical and clinically visible lesions in cancerized fields on sun-damaged skin. Ingenol mebutate effectively treats AKs on areas up to 25 cm², but actinic keratosis can affect larger areas of skin. This trial evaluated systemic exposure and safety of ingenol mebutate gel on larger areas of skin under maximum use conditions.

METHODS

Phase I, multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled, non-randomized trial. Patients received ingenol mebutate gel for three consecutive days on approximately 250 cm² of sun-damaged skin on the full face (0.027%), the scalp (0.027%), or arm (0.06%).

RESULTS

Of 61 patients, 10 (face =8; arm =2) had ingenol mebutate in whole blood at subnanomolar levels (0.235-0.462 nM). The assayed metabolites were below the lower limit of quantification. Local skin responses increased during Days 1-4 and declined thereafter, approaching baseline by Day 16. Most adverse events were pain/pruritus of mild or moderate intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

Subnanomolar systemic exposure to ingenol mebutate was measured after application of the gel to approximately 250 cm² on the full face, scalp, or arm under maximum use conditions. No clinically relevant systemic adverse reactions were observed, and local skin responses were manageable.

Photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolaevulinate 80 mg g(-1) for severe facial acne vulgaris: a randomized vehicle-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Severe acne vulgaris has limited therapeutic options.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate photodynamic therapy (PDT) using topical methyl aminolaevulinate (MAL, 80 mg g(-1) ) as the photosensitizer in severe facial acne.

METHODS

A double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled multicentre trial in 153 patients (aged 12-35 years) with severe facial acne [Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score 4; 25-75 inflammatory lesions with ≤ 3 nodules; 20-100 noninflammatory lesions]. Treatment (four treatments 2 weeks apart) involved incubation with MAL (n = 100) or vehicle cream (n = 53) for 1·5 h under occlusion, then illumination (635-nm red light, total dose 37 J cm(-2) ). IGA assessment and standardized lesion counts were performed before each treatment and 12 weeks after the first treatment. Treatment success was defined as improvement from baseline in IGA by ≥ 2 grades at 12 weeks. Safety assessments were for pain (10-cm visual analogue scale, immediately after illumination), erythema (four-point rating scale) and adverse events.

RESULTS

At 12 weeks, PDT using MAL 80 mg g(-1) reduced inflammatory lesions vs. vehicle PDT (mean change -15·6 vs. -7·8, P = 0·006; mean percentage change -37·3% vs. -16·2%, P = 0·003). However, noninflammatory lesions did not decrease significantly (mean change -11·8 vs. -10·7, P = 0·85; mean percentage change -28·6% vs. -24·9%, P = 0·72). Treatment success rates were greater with MAL-PDT 80 mg g(-1) (44% vs. 26%, P = 0·013). Pain was low and manageable by briefly pausing illumination. There was similar pain or erythema with successive treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

PDT using topical MAL 80 mg g(-1) and red light may offer promise for severe acne vulgaris.

Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Ingenol Mebutate 0.05% Gel Applied to Treatment Areas up to 100cm(2) on the Forearm(s) of Patients with Actinic Keratosis

OBJECTIVE

To determine safety, tolerability, and systemic absorption of ingenol mebutate 0.05% gel applied for two consecutive days to treatment areas up to 100cm(2) on the forearm(s) of patients with actinic keratosis.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Two studies are reported: a Phase 1, multicenter, open-label, dose-area escalation cohort study (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00659893) and a Phase 2, double-blind, vehicle-controlled pharmacokinetic study (http://clinical trials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00852137).

PARTICIPANTS

The Phase 1 study included male patients (n=65), mean age 68.1 years; the Phase 2 study included both male and female patients (n=16), mean age 63.3 years.

MEASUREMENTS

In the Phase 1 study, patients assigned to escalating dose-area cohorts were evaluated for local skin responses, adverse events, and any other relevant safety data. In the pharmacokinetic study, blood samples were collected pre-dose and for up to 24 hours after administration on Day 2, and analyzed for ingenol mebutate and its primary metabolites. In both studies, safety assessments were performed on Days 2, 3, 8, 15, 29, and 57 (study end).

RESULTS

In the Phase 1 study, most adverse events were mild, and all treatment-related adverse events resolved before the end of the study. The 100cm(2) treatment area showed a small increase in the overall intensity of mean composite local skin response scores. There was no quantifiable systemic exposure to ingenol mebutate or its primary metabolites.

CONCLUSION

Ingenol mebutate 0.05% gel has a good safety profile when applied to treatment areas up to 100cm(2) with acceptable tolerability and local skin responses. There is no systemic absorption following application to areas of 100cm(2).

Treatment of facial erythema in patients with rosacea with topical brimonidine tartrate: correlation of patient satisfaction with standard clinical endpoints of improvement of facial erythema

BACKGROUND

Once-daily brimonidine tartrate (BT) 0.5% gel was shown to provide significantly greater efficacy vs. vehicle for the treatment of facial erythema in patients with rosacea.

OBJECTIVES

To demonstrate that patient satisfaction with overall appearance is correlated with reduction in facial erythema, as measured by clinician and patient assessments.

METHODS

Data from two identical phase III, multicentre, randomized, controlled trials of moderate facial erythema of rosacea (study A: n = 260; study B: n = 293) with topical BT 0.5% compared to vehicle gel once-daily for 4 weeks were analysed. Correlations of Patient's Assessment of Appearance (PAA) with Clinician's Erythema Assessment (CEA) and Patient's Self-Assessment (PSA) of erythema were evaluated by calculation of gamma statistics.

RESULTS

PAA correlated with CEA post-application on Days 1, 15 and 29 for the intent-to-treat population and provided a median gamma value of 0.57 (min = 0.28, max = 0.61). PAA and PSA was also highly correlated post-application on Days 1, 15 and 29; with a median gamma value of 0.87 (min = 0.66, max = 0.89). Subjects who achieved a clinically meaningful improvement in both CEA and PSA scales were more likely to report satisfaction with the overall appearance of their skin (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Both one- and two-grade improvements in facial erythema assessed by subjects (PSA) and clinicians (CEA) correlate well with PAA, a patient-centered representation of meaningful change.

Efficacy and safety of once-daily luliconazole 1% cream in patients ≥12 years of age with interdigital tinea pedis: a phase 3, randomized, double-blind,vehicle-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Interdigital tinea pedis is one of the most common clinical presentations of dermatophytosis.

OBJECTIVE

This phase 3 study evaluated the safety and efficacy of luliconazole cream 1% in patients with tinea pedis.

METHODS

A total of 321 male and female patients aged ≥12 years with tinea pedis and eligible for modified intent-to-treat analysis were randomized 1:1 to receive luliconazole cream 1% (n=159) or vehicle (n=162) once daily for 14 days. Efficacy was evaluated at days 28 and 42 (i.e., days 14 and 28 posttreatment) based on clinical signs (erythema, scaling, pruritus) and mycology (KOH, fungal culture). The primary outcome was complete clearance at day 42. Safety evaluations included adverse events and laboratory assessments.

RESULTS

Complete clearance at day 42 was achieved in 26.4% (28/106) of patients treated with luliconazole cream 1% compared with 1.9% (2/103) of patients treated with vehicle (P< 0.001). Similar safety profiles were obtained for luliconazole cream 1% and vehicle.

LIMITATIONS

This study was conducted in a relatively small population under controlled clinical trial conditions.

CONCLUSION

Luliconazole cream 1% applied once daily for 14 days is well tolerated and more effective than vehicle in patients with tinea pedis.

Improvement in facial erythema within 30 minutes of initial application of brimonidine tartrate in patients with rosacea

BACKGROUND

Brimonidine tartrate (BT) 0.5% gel demonstrated significantly greater efficacy versus vehicle gel once-daily for the treatment of moderate to severe erythema of rosacea.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the 30-minute speed of onset of topical BT 0.5% gel in reducing facial erythema in Phase III studies as measured by subject and clinician assessments of erythema.

METHODS

Two Phase III, randomized, controlled studies with identical design in which subjects with moderate erythema of rosacea (study A: n=260; study B: n=293) were randomized 1:1 to apply topical BT 0.5% or vehicle gel once-daily for 4 weeks. Evaluations included severity of erythema based on Clinician's Erythema Assessment (CEA) and Patient's Self-Assessment (PSA) prior to study drug application and at 30 minutes after application on days 1, 15, and 29.

RESULTS

97.7% and 96.6% of subjects reported normal study completion for studies A and B, respectively. The percentage of subjects achieving a 1-grade improvement in both CEA and PSA was significantly increased at 30 minutes post-dosing with BT 0.5% gel compared to vehicle gel on visit days (day 1: 27.9 vs 6.9%, P <0.001; day 15: 55.9 vs 21.1%, P <0.001; Day 29: 58.3 vs 32.0%, P <0.001 for BT 0.5% gel vs vehicle) in study A. Similar results were shown for study B.

CONCLUSIONS

Once-daily topical BT gel 0.5% is not only efficacious at reducing facial erythema but also exhibits response within 30 minutes of application in a significant number of patients throughout both Phase III studies.

Safety and pharmacokinetics of efinaconazole 10% solution in healthy volunteers and patients with severe onychomycosis

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the systemic exposure and pharmacokinetics of efinaconazole 10% solution and assess the potential for drug-drug interaction (DDI) in human volunteers and onychomycosis patients following topical administration.

METHODS

Two single-center, open-label studies in healthy volunteers and severe onychomycosis patients. Efinaconazole 10% solution was applied topically to all 10 toenails (0.42 mL total daily dose volume); administered as single and then 7 daily doses to 10 healthy volunteers, and once daily for 28 days to 19 severe onychomycosis patients. Plasma concentrations of efinaconazole and its major metabolite H3 were determined by LC-MS-MS at multiple timepoints. Safety evaluations were carried out throughout both studies.

RESULTS

The mean peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of efinaconazole and H3 were 0.54 and 1.63 ng/mL, respectively, in healthy volunteers; and 0.67 and 2.36 ng/mL, respectively, in patients. Both parent drug and metabolite accumulated following repeat dosing, and reached steady state in plasma by 14 days. Efinaconazole was well tolerated in both studies; no drug-related adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Efinaconazole 10% solution resulted in very low systemic exposures to efinaconazole and H3 when applied topically at maximum use conditions to healthy volunteer and onychomycosis patients' toenails. Efinaconazole is a CYP inhibitor like other azole antifungals, and its lowest ki is 91 ng/mL for CYP2C9, a >130-fold higher concentration than the mean steady state Cmax observed in patients. The Cmax/ki ratio was 0.007, well below the threshold for clinical DDI evaluation as recommended in regulatory guidances, thereby suggesting efinaconazole 10% solution has remote potential for drug-drug interactions.

Efficacy and safety of once-daily topical brimonidine tartrate gel 0.5% for the treatment of moderate to severe facial erythema of rosacea: results of two randomized, double-blind, and vehicle-controlled pivotal studies

BACKGROUND

Brimonidine tartrate, a highly selective α2-adrenergic receptor agonist with potent vasoconstrictive activity, was shown to reduce erythema of rosacea.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy and safety of topical brimonidine tartrate gel 0.5% for the treatment of erythema of rosacea.

METHODS

Both studies were randomized, double-blind, and vehicle-controlled, with identical design. Subjects with moderate to severe erythema of rosacea were randomized 1:1 to apply topical brimonidine tartrate gel 0.5% or vehicle gel once-daily for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week follow-up phase. Evaluations included severity of erythema based on Clinician's Erythema Assessment and Patient's Self-Assessment, as well as adverse events.

RESULTS

Topical brimonidine tartrate gel 0.5% was significantly more efficacious than vehicle gel throughout 12 hours on days 1, 15, and 29, with significant difference observed as early as 30 minutes after the first application on day 1 (all P<.001). No tachyphylaxis, rebound or aggravation of other disease signs were observed. Slightly higher incidence of adverse events was observed for topical brimonidine tartrate gel 0.5% than for vehicle; however, most of the adverse events were dermatological, mild, and transient in nature.

LIMITATIONS

These data generated in controlled trials may be different from those in clinical practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Once-daily brimonidine tartrate gel 0.5% has a good safety profile and provides significantly greater efficacy relative to vehicle gel for the treatment of moderate to severe erythema of rosacea, as early as 30 minutes after application.

Luliconazole for the treatment of interdigital tinea pedis: A double-blind, vehicle-controlled study

Tinea pedis (TP) typically is treated with topical antifungal agents. Luliconazole, a novel imidazole drug, is shown to be as or more effective in vitro and in vivo than bifonazole, terbinafine, and lanoconazole. Two treatment durations with luliconazole cream 1% were evaluated for treatment of TP. Participants with interdigital TP were randomized (N= 147) and treated with either luliconazole or its vehicle for either 2 or 4 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of participants achieving complete clearance 2 weeks following completion of treatment. In the 2-week active treatment group, complete clearance was achieved in 26.8% (11/41) of participants versus 9. 1% (2/22) in the 2-week vehicle group at 2-weeks posttreatment. In the 4-week active treatment group, 45.7% (16/35) achieved complete clearance versus 10.0% (2/20) in the 4-week vehicle group at 2-weeks posttreatment. Twenty-three adverse events (AEs) were reported; most were mild (56.5% [13/23]) to moderate (26. 1% [6/23]) in severity. All reported AEs were determined to be unrelated (78.3% [18/23]) or unlikely related (21.7% [5/23]) to the study medication. The results of this study indicate that luliconazole cream 1% applied once daily for either 2 or 4 weeks is safe and effective for treatment of TP. More importantly, the antifungal effects of luliconazole persist for several weeks, resulting in increased rates of mycological cure.

Tazarotene foam versus tazarotene gel: a randomized relative bioavailability study in acne vulgaris

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Tazarotene, a retinoid pro-drug, is available in gel, cream and foam for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. This single-centre, randomized, open-label study assessed relative bioavailability of its active metabolite tazarotenic acid after dosing of tazarotene foam or gel.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Subjects with moderate-to-severe acne received a mean, once-daily dose of 3.7 g tazarotene foam or gel applied to face, chest, upper back and shoulders. Blood samples were collected pre-dose on multiple days and multiple time points over a 72-h period to measure plasma tazarotenic acid and tazarotene.

RESULTS

Mean tazarotenic acid area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum measured plasma concentration (Cmax) values were significantly higher for gel versus foam. Cmax occurred within 5-6 h after dosing, with an apparent terminal elimination half-life (t½) of 18-22 h. Accumulation was observed upon repeated dosing with steady-state conditions achieved at day 20. Mean tazarotene concentrations were also higher following gel application versus foam. Both foam and gel demonstrated an acceptable safety profile.

CONCLUSION

Tazarotene foam, 0.1 % is an alternative to gel with less systemic exposure.

A multicenter, randomized, vehicle-controlled phase 2 study of blue light photodynamic therapy with aminolevulinic acid HCl 20% topical solution for the treatment of actinic keratoses on the upper extremities: the effect of occlusion during the drug incubation period

BACKGROUND

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs) of the face and scalp. A recent small study has suggested that ALA-PDT can be effective for AKs of the dorsal hands/forearms. However, studies designed to provide sufficient statistical power to test this hypothesis are lacking in the literature.

OBJECTIVES

To determine and compare the safety and efficacy of blue light ALA-PDT vs blue light placebo vehicle (VEH) in the treatment of AKs of the upper extremities and to evaluate the effect of occlusion after application of ALA vs VEH.

METHODS

ALA or VEH was applied to both dorsal hands/forearms for the 3-hour incubation period before blue light treatment (10 J/ cm2). One extremity of each subject was covered with occlusive dressing during the incubation period. Treatment was repeated at week 8 if any AK lesions remained.

RESULTS

The median AK lesion clearance rate at week 12 was 88.7% for extremities treated with occluded ALA (ALA+OCC), 70.0% for extremities treated with nonoccluded ALA, 16.7% for extremities treated with occluded VEH (VEH+OCC), and 5.6% for extremities treated with nonoccluded VEH (P<.0001). ALA+OCC resulted in a significantly higher clearance rate compared with the nonoccluded extremity at weeks 8 (P=.0006) and 12 (P=.0029). Thirty-four percent (12/35) of extremities treated with ALA+OCC had complete clearance of lesions at week 12 compared with 0% (0/35) of extremities treated with VEH+OCC (P=.0002). The safety pro!le in this study is consistent with previously reported side effects of the therapy.

CONCLUSION

Blue light ALA-PDT following a 3-hour incubation appears efficacious for AK clearance of the upper extremities. Incubation using an occlusive dressing significantly increases the efficacy of the procedure and also increases the incidence and severity of some acute inflammatory side effects of PDT.

Treatment with a novel topical nanoemulsion (NB-001) speeds time to healing of recurrent cold sores

BACKGROUND

Current topical therapies for cold sores are only marginally beneficial due to poor skin penetration. We assessed the safety and efficacy of a novel topical antiviral nanoemulsion (NB-001) with high tissue bioavailability.

OBJECTIVES

The primary endpoint was the time to lesion healing.

METHODS

482 subjects with recurrent cold sores were randomized to self-initiate treatment with either vehicle or NB-001 (0.1%, 0.3% or 0.5%) at the first signs or symptoms of a cold sore episode. Lotion was applied 5 times per day, approximately 3 to 4 hours apart, for 4 days. Time to lesion healing was correlated with NB-001 bioavailability determined in human cadaver skin.

RESULTS

Subjects treated with 0.3% NB-001 showed a 1.3-day improvement in the mean time to healing compared to vehicle (P=0.006). This was consistent with human cadaver skin data indicating that the 0.3% nanoemulsion had the highest bioavailability, compared to 0.1% and 0.5% emulsions. No significant safety or dermal irritation concerns or systemic absorption were noted with any of the doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical NB-001 (0.3%) was well tolerated and highly efficacious in shortening the time to healing of cold sores. The improvement in time to healing was similar to that reported for oral nucleoside analogues, but without systemic exposure. Topical agents for recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) reduce healing time by one half day, compared to oral therapies that speed healing by a day or more. A topical antiviral nanoemulsion was well tolerated and improved cold sore healing time by over a day compared to vehicle control. Nanoemulsion (NB-001) could represent a more efficacious topical treatment for recurrent cold sores.

Once-daily topical brimonidine tartrate gel 0·5% is a novel treatment for moderate to severe facial erythema of rosacea: results of two multicentre, randomized and vehicle-controlled studies

BACKGROUND

Erythema of rosacea is thought to result from abnormal cutaneous vasomotor activity. Brimonidine tartrate (BT) is a highly selective α(2) -adrenergic receptor agonist with vasoconstrictive activity.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the optimal concentration and dose regimen of topical BT gel for the treatment of erythema of rosacea and to evaluate its efficacy and safety.

METHODS

In study A, 122 subjects were randomized to receive a single application of BT 0·07%, 0·18%, 0·5% or vehicle. In study B (4-week treatment and 4-week follow-up), 269 subjects were randomized to receive BT 0·5% once daily, BT 0·18% once daily, vehicle once daily, BT 0·18% twice daily or vehicle twice daily. Evaluations included Clinician's Erythema Assessment (CEA), Patient's Self-Assessment (PSA), Chroma Meter measurements and adverse events.

RESULTS

In study A, a single application of topical BT gel reduced facial erythema in a dose-dependent fashion. A significant difference between BT 0·5% and vehicle in Chroma Meter redness value was observed from 30min to 12h after application. In study B, BT 0·5% once daily had a statistically superior success profile (defined as a two-grade improvement on both CEA and PSA over 12h) compared with vehicle once daily on days 1, 15 and 29 (all P<0·001). No tachyphylaxis, rebound of erythema or aggravation of other disease signs (telangiectasia, inflammatory lesions) was observed. All regimens were safe and well tolerated with similarly low incidence of adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Once-daily BT gel 0·5% is well tolerated and provides significantly greater efficacy than vehicle gel for the treatment of moderate to severe erythema of rosacea.

Short-term combination therapy and long-term relapse prevention in the treatment of severe acne vulgaris

Few long-term treatment regimens for severe acne vulgaris have been investigated in clinical trials. Data were combined from two consecutive, randomized, double-blind, controlled studies to evaluate the efficacy, safety and subject satisfaction of four nine-month regimens in severe acne vulgaris treatment. Subjects were first randomized to receive doxycycline (DCN) and adapalene 0.1% - benzoyl peroxide 2.5% (A/BPO) or vehicle once daily for 12 weeks. Subjects who had at least 50% global improvement were subsequently randomized to receive A/BPO or its vehicle once daily for 24 weeks. Over nine months, there were four regimens: A/BPO and DCN followed by A/BPO, vehicle and DCN followed by A/BPO, A/BPO and DCN followed by vehicle, and vehicle and DCN followed by vehicle. Among the four regimens, A/BPO and DCN followed by A/BPO led to the highest percentage of subjects rated "clear" or "almost clear" (50.0% vs. 40.4%, 26.2% and 25.0%, respectively), biggest reduction in total lesion counts (76% vs. 70%, 51% and 47%, respectively) and greatest subject satisfaction (85.0% vs. 75.5%, 63.3% and 52.4%, respectively) at week 36. It provided a faster onset of action compared to groups started with vehicle and DCN (P<.05 at week 2). Subjects receiving A/BPO and DCN followed by vehicle experienced deterioration once the active treatment was discontinued. All regimens were safe and well-tolerated. In conclusion, efficacious initial therapy and long-term treatment are both important. An initial combination therapy with adapalene-BPO and DCN followed by longer-term adapalene-BPO treatment is an efficacious and satisfactory new regimen for severe acne subjects.

Efficacy of topical azelaic acid (AzA) gel 15% plus oral doxycycline 40 mg versus metronidazole gel 1% plus oral doxycycline 40 mg in mild-to-moderate papulopustular rosacea

Rosacea is a leading reason why people seek the care of a dermatologist, accounting for nearly 7 million office visits annually. Pharmacologic treatments include both topical and oral medications, which are increasingly being used in combination, especially at the outset of therapy. This exploratory study assesses the safety, effectiveness and speed of onset of two common topical agents for the treatment of rosacea--azelaic acid gel (AzA) 15% and metronidazole gel 1%--used in conjunction with anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline (40 mg once daily). Men and women (n = 207) with mild-to-moderate papulopustular rosacea were enrolled and randomized to receive either AzA gel 15% twice daily plus doxycycline 40 mg once daily (AzA group) or metronidazole gel 1% once daily plus doxycycline 40 mg once daily (Metro group) for 12 weeks. Both regimens were safe, efficacious and well tolerated. Efficacy parameters revealed a possible trend toward greater and earlier benefit with the AzA-based regimen than with the metronidazole-based regimen. These findings warrant further investigation in a sufficiently powered study.

Adapalene 0.1% lotion in the treatment of acne vulgaris: results from two placebo-controlled, multicenter, randomized double-blind, clinical studies

BACKGROUND

Acne vulgaris is a common chronic skin disease affecting roughly 15 percent of the general population and up to 85 percent of adolescents and young adults. Adapalene, a synthetic naphthoic acid derivative with retinoid activity, has demonstrated good clinical efficacy in the treatment of acne if used with full compliance.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and assess safety of a new adapalene formulation, adapalene 0.1% lotion, versus the lotion vehicle in subjects with acne vulgaris.

METHODS

Subjects were randomized to receive either adapalene 0.1% lotion or its vehicle once daily for 12 weeks in two multicenter, randomized, vehicle-controlled, double-blind, parallel group studies. Efficacy was evaluated using two co-primary endpoints: Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) of success rate (defined as the proportion of subjects who achieved at least a two point reduction, on a 5-point scale, from baseline to week 12 in IGA score); and the absolute change from baseline to week 12 in total, inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions. Signs of local skin irritation and routine clinical safety parameters were evaluated throughout both studies.

RESULTS

In total, 2,141 subjects were included in the two studies: 1,068 patients received adapalene 0.1 percent lotion and 1073 received the vehicle. In both studies, adapalene 0.1% lotion was shown to be significantly more effective than its vehicle in improvement in the IGA success rate. Adapalene 0.1% lotion was also significantly superior to its vehicle in all three lesion reduction measures: total, inflammatory and non-inflammatory. Reports of application site skin irritation in the adapalene 0.1% lotion treatment group were transient and mild or moderate in severity, with only a few being severe. Additionally, according to patient surveys, the lotion formulation was found to be easily spreadable, easily absorbed and pleasant to use.

CONCLUSION

Adapalene 0.1% lotion used once a day for 12 weeks is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

Hematologic safety of dapsone gel, 5%, for topical treatment of acne vulgaris

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk of hemolysis in subjects with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency who were treated for acne vulgaris with either dapsone gel, 5% (dapsone gel), or vehicle gel.

DESIGN

Double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled, crossover study.

SETTING

Referral centers and private practice.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty-four subjects 12 years or older with G6PD deficiency and acne vulgaris. Intervention Subjects were equally randomized to 1 of 2 sequences of 12-week treatment periods (vehicle followed by dapsone gel or dapsone gel followed by vehicle). The washout period was 2 weeks. Treatments were applied twice daily to the face and to other acne-affected areas of the neck, upper chest, upper back, and shoulders as required.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Results of clinical chemical analysis and hematology values; plasma dapsone and N-acetyl dapsone concentrations; spontaneous reports of adverse events.

RESULTS

A 0.32-g/dL decrease in hemoglobin concentration occurred from baseline to 2 weeks during dapsone gel treatment. This was not accompanied by changes in other laboratory parameters, including reticulocytes, haptoglobin, bilirubin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and was not apparent at 12 weeks as treatment continued. The number of subjects with a 1-g/dL drop in hemoglobin concentration was similar between treatment groups at both week 2 and week 12. The largest drops in hemoglobin concentration were 1.7 g/dL in the vehicle gel treatment group and 1.5 g/dL in the dapsone gel treatment group. No clinical signs or symptoms of hemolytic anemia were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

After treatment with dapsone gel, 5%, no clinical or laboratory evidence of drug-induced hemolytic anemia was noted in G6PD-deficient subjects with acne vulgaris. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00243542.

Topical methyl-aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy using red light-emitting diode light for treatment of multiple actinic keratoses: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

The use of light-emitting diode light offers practical advantages in photodynamic therapy (PDT) with topical methyl-aminolevulinate (MAL) for management of actinic keratoses (AK).

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the efficacy of MAL PDT using red light-emitting diode light.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, double-blind, randomized study. A total of 49 patients with 363 AK lesions had 16.8% MAL cream applied under occlusion for 3 hours, and 47 patients with 360 AK lesions had vehicle cream similarly applied. The lesions were then illuminated (630 nm, light dose 37 J/cm2) with repeated treatment 1 week later. Complete lesion and patient (all lesions showing complete response) response rates were evaluated 3 months after last treatment.

RESULTS

MAL PDT was superior (P<.0001) to vehicle PDT with respect to lesion complete response (86.2% vs 52.2%, odds ratio 6.9 [95% confidence interval 4.7-10.3]) and patient complete response (59.2% vs 14.9%, odds ratio 13.2 [95% confidence interval 4.1-43.1]).

LIMITATIONS

The study population may not be representative of all patients with AK.

CONCLUSION

MAL PDT using red light-emitting diode light is an appropriate treatment alternative for multiple AK lesions.

Combination sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens versus metronidazole 0.75% cream for rosacea

Topical metronidazole and combination sodium sulfacetamide and sulfur commonly are used to treat rosacea. Recently, the relative efficacy and safety of sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens (Rosac Cream) (n = 75) and metronidazole 0.75% cream (Metrocream) (n = 77) were compared in an investigator-blinded, randomized, parallel-group study at 6 sites. After 12 weeks of treatment with sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens, there was a significantly greater percentage reduction (80%) in inflammatory lesions compared with metronidazole 0.75% cream (72%)(P = .04), as well as a significantly greater percentage of subjects with improved erythema (69% vs 45%, respectively; P = .0007). In addition, the sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens group had a significantly greater proportion of subjects with success in global improvement at week 12 compared with the metronidazole 0.75% cream group (79% vs 59%, respectively; P = .01). There was no significant difference between treatment groups in the percentage of subjects with improvement in investigator global severity. Overall tolerance was good or excellent in 85% of subjects in the sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens group and in 97% of subjects in the metronidazole 0.75% cream group. Seven subjects had poor tolerance to the sodium sulfacetamide 10% and sulfur 5% cream with sunscreens, possibly caused by a sulfa drug allergy.

A randomized investigator-blinded study comparing pimecrolimus cream 1% with tacrolimus ointment 0.03% in the treatment of pediatric patients with moderate atopic dermatitis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate pimecrolimus cream 1% and tacrolimus ointment 0.03% in pediatric patients with moderate atopic dermatitis (AD).

METHODS

141 patients (aged 2-17 years) were randomized to treatment with pimecrolimus cream 1% (n=71) or tacrolimus ointment 0.03% (n=70) twice daily for 6 weeks.

RESULTS

At day 4, local, application-site reactions were less common and of shorter duration with pimecrolimus than with tacrolimus. Incidence of erythema/irritation was 8% (6/71) with pimecrolimus compared with 19% (13/70) with tacrolimus (P=.039). Fewer patients receiving pimecrolimus (0%, 0/6) experienced erythema/irritation lasting >30 minutes, compared with those receiving tacrolimus (85%, 11/13; P <.001). Fewer patients reported itching with pimecrolimus (8%; 6/71) than with tacrolimus (20%; 14/70; P=.073). Incidence of warmth, stinging, and burning was similar in both groups; however, reactions lasting >30 minutes were fewer with pimecrolimus (0%, 0/14) than with tacrolimus (67%, 8/12; P <.001). More patients receiving pimecrolimus rated ease of application as 'excellent' or 'very good', compared with tacrolimus (76% vs 59%, respectively; P <.020). Efficacy was similar in both groups at day 43. Both treatments were generally well tolerated with no unexpected adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Pimecrolimus cream 1% had better formulation attributes and local tolerability than tacrolimus ointment 0.03% while providing similar efficacy and overall safety in pediatric patients with moderate AD.

Mequinol 2%/tretinoin 0.01% solution: an effective and safe alternative to hydroquinone 3% in the treatment of solar lentigines

A new topical solution containing 4-hydroxyanisole (mequinol) 2%/tretinoin 0.01% (Solagé) was compared with its active components, its vehicle, and hydroquinone (HQ) 3% in the treatment of solar lentigines. In a randomized, parallel-group, double-masked study, 216 subjects applied the treatments twice daily for 16 weeks and were followed up for a further 24 weeks. A significantly higher proportion (P < or = .05) of subjects achieved clinical success with mequinol 2%/tretinoin 0.01% compared with HQ 3% as measured by both the lesional pigmentation on the forearm and the physician global assessment at the end of treatment. The proportion of subjects achieving clinical success on the face in the mequinol 2%/tretinoin 0.01% group was consistently higher than that in the HQ 3% group. Some treatment effects remained at the end of the treatment-free follow-up, with trends apparent on the face in favor of mequinol 2%/tretinoin 0.01% over HQ 3%. In all treatment groups, skin-related adverse events were mild or moderate and transient. In conclusion, the mequinol 2%/tretinoin 0.01% solution is a highly effective and well-tolerated treatment for solar lentigines and related hyperpigmented lesions, being superior to HQ 3% for lesions on the forearm and of similar efficacy for lesions on the face.

Effect of a single course of isotretinoin therapy on bone mineral density in adolescent patients with severe, recalcitrant, nodular acne

BACKGROUND

Adverse changes in bone have been reported for patients undergoing high-dose, long-term (several years) isotretinoin therapy for disorders of cornification. The effect of short-term (4-5 months) therapy at the lower dose recommended for acne on bone development in younger, growing adolescent (12-17 years) patients has not been well studied.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of a standard, single course of isotretinoin (Accutane) therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and hip in adolescents ages 12 to 17 years with severe, recalcitrant, nodular acne.

METHODS

In this open-label, multicenter study, 217 adolescents (81 girls) with severe, recalcitrant, nodular acne were enrolled and treated with isotretinoin twice daily with food at the recommended total dose of approximately 1 mg/kg for 16 to 20 weeks. BMD in the lumbar spine and hip was measured at baseline and at the end of therapy by dual energy radiograph absorptiometry.

RESULTS

There was no clinically significant mean change in BMD measured at the lumbar spine (+1.4%, range: -4.9% to +12.3%) or total hip (-0.26%, range: -11.3% to +15.0%). Hyperostosis was not observed in any patient. Typical efficacy expected in the treatment of acne was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

A 16- to 20-week course of isotretinoin treatment at the recommended dose for severe acne has no clinically significant effect on lumbar spine and total hip BMD in the adolescent (12-17 years) population.

Clobetasol propionate shampoo 0.05%: a new option to treat patients with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, papulosquamous condition that affects up to 2% of the U.S. population. Approximately 50% of patients with psoriasis have involvement of the scalp. This was a multicentre, randomized, vehicle-controlled, double-masked and parallel-group study. The aim was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clobetasol propionate shampoo, 0.05% versus its corresponding vehicle in subjects aged 12 years and older with moderate to severe scalp psoriasis over a treatment period of 4 weeks. Recurrence of scalp psoriasis was assessed during a two week follow-up period. A total of 142 subjects were treated. Results after 4 weeks demonstrated that clobetasol propionate shampoo, 0.05% was with a similar safety profile significantly more effective than its vehicle. The novel short contact shampoo formulation of clobetasol propionate is convenient and efficacious and minimizes systemic exposure while being efficient, safe and well-tolerated in the treatment of moderate to severe scalp psoriasis.

A randomized, parallel, vehicle-controlled comparison of two erythromycin/benzoyl peroxide preparations for acne vulgaris

BACKGROUND

Topical erythromycin/benzoyl peroxide (EBP), marketed for acne treatment, must be compounded by a pharmacist and requires subsequent refrigeration, warranting the development of alternate formulations.

OBJECTIVE

This trial compared the efficacy and tolerability of a single-use EBP combination package (EBP Pak) with those of its matching vehicle control (VC Pak) and the original, reconstituted formulation packaged in a jar (EBP Jar). The matching VC for the original formulation (VC Jar) was used to achieve study blinding.

METHODS

In this double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter study, patients were randomly assigned to the 4 treatment arms. The primary efficacy evaluations were lesion reductions from baseline and treatment success (as defined by a Physician's Global Acne Severity score of 0 [clear] or 0.5 [sparse comedones with few or no inflammatory lesions]). Secondary evaluations were Physician's Global Acne Severity scores, facial-oiliness scores, and end-point patient evaluations of global improvement and treatment acceptability. Tolerability was based on the incidence and severity of adverse events.

RESULTS

Three hundred twenty-seven patients (age range, 12-46 years) were randomly assigned to the 4 treatment groups (EBP Pak, 124; VC Pak, 42; EBP Jar. 121; VC Jar, 40). Mean percent reductions in total acne lesions, inflammatory acne lesions, and come-dones from baseline were significantly greater with EBP Pak than with VC Pak (P < or = 0.001 for the intent-to-treat patient population after 8 weeks). Statistical significance for all lesion parameters was demonstrated at week 2 (P < 0.05) and maintained throughout the study. At 8 weeks, a significantly greater proportion of patients demonstrated treatment success with the EBP Pak compared with VC Pak (28% vs 2%, respectively; P < 0.001). The EBP Pak was comparable to the EBP Jar in terms of reduction in acne lesions, Physician's Global Acne Severity scores, and end-of-treatment patient evaluations of global improvement. No serious drug-related adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this 8-week trial demonstrate that the single-use combination package of EBP is well tolerated, effective, and comparable to the original formulation for the treatment of acne vulgaris in this selected patient population.

Clindamycin phosphate 1% gel in acne vulgaris

A 12-week study compared Clindagel, a unique water-based gel formulation of clindamycin phosphate 1%, administered once daily, and Cleocin T, a slightly different gel formulation indicated for twice-daily use, in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Clindagel was safe and effective and equivalent to Cleocin T gel, albeit with a better tolerability profile. Clindagel is a viable alternative to Cleocin T gel.

Once-daily topical metronidazole cream formulations in the treatment of the papules and pustules of rosacea

BACKGROUND

The papules and pustules of rosacea can be effectively treated with topical metronidazole. The optimal concentrations of metronidazole and optimum frequencies of application are uncertain. Traditionally, twice-daily applications have been advised, based on the pharmacokinetic profile of metronidazole. Once-daily applications may be safer and less expensive, and they may enhance patient compliance.

OBJECTIVE

We compared the efficacy and safety of 2 commercially available topical metronidazole formulations (0.75% metronidazole cream formulation and 1.0% metronidazole cream formulation) when both were used in a once-daily regimen.

METHODS

A multicenter, randomized, investigator-blind, parallel group trial was conducted at 3 separate clinical sites located in 3 US cities. The study enrolled 72 rosacea patients with at least 8 to 50 inflammatory facial lesions (pustules and papules) and moderately severe facial erythema. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 0.75% metronidazole cream or 1.0% metronidazole cream and instructed to apply the medication once daily for 12 weeks. Patients' lesions were evaluated at baseline and at weeks 3, 6, 9, and 12.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between treatment groups for any of the efficacy parameters evaluated. The overall median percentage change in lesion count at end point for patients in the 0.75% metronidazole cream treatment group was -62% compared with -60% for the 1.0% metronidazole cream treatment group. The overall percentage change in erythema scores at endpoint for patients in the 0.75% metronidazole cream treatment group was -26% compared with -30% for patients in the 1.0% metronidazole cream treatment group. Regarding physician assessment of global severity, 57% of subjects (20/35) in the 0.75% metronidazole cream group compared with 37% of subjects (13/35) in the 1.0% metronidazole cream group were rated as having a clear to mild condition at end point. Both drugs were well tolerated; there was no significant difference in the number of drug-related adverse events between the two agents.

CONCLUSION

This controlled trial demonstrates that both 0.75% metronidazole cream and 1.0% metronidazole cream, when used once daily, provide well-tolerated efficacy for moderate to severe rosacea.

Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure following intrapleural thrombolytic therapy for hemothorax

Intrapleural instillation of thrombolytic agents has been useful in the treatment of hemothorax when thoracostomy tube drainage is unsuccessful. We present a patient who developed acute hypoxemic respiratory failure following the intrapleural instillation of both streptokinase and urokinase 24 h apart. Hypoxemia most likely resulted from a direct effect of the products of fibrinolysis on the pulmonary circulation.

Familial acanthosis nigricans

A mother and daughter had benign familial acanthosis nigricans. Familial acanthosis nigricans begins in early childhood and may be accentuated at puberty. The eruption is not associated with underlying illness. Forms of acanthosis nigricans are associated with obesity, endocrinologic abnormalities, drug ingestion, and malignant neoplasms.

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia has become a well-recognized entity in adults. Kimura's disease is a similar and possibly identical disease occurring in Oriental children. This is a case report of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia occurring in a 12-year-old Caucasian boy with elevated levels of serum IgE. The condition responded to intralesional triamcinolone. A brief review of the literature is presented and various modes of therapy are discussed.

Topical protection against long-wave ultraviolet A

A PABA ester-oxybenzone preparation is superior to PABA or sulisobenzone alone in protecting the skin from methoxsalen-induced ultraviolet A (UVA) phototoxicity after water substantivity challenge. Such a mixture would be useful as a UVA screen for uninvolved or actinically damaged skin in patients receiving psoralens and ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy. An effective topical UVA screen also may protect against UVA-induced diseases like solar urticaria, polymorphic light eruptions, drug-induced phototoxicity or photoallergy, and possibly against the deep degenerative changes of solar elastosis.

Benign neonatal hemangiomatosis

Diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis is a serious multisystem syndrome of multiple cutaneous hemangiomas, visceral hemangiomatosis with arteriovenous shunts, high output congestive heart failure, thrombocytopenia with hemorrhage and central nervous system involvement. Some neonates with multiple cutaneous hemangiomas, however, may follow a benign course of spontaneous resolution without symptomatic visceral involvement. Such cases may be called benign neonatal hemangiomatosis.

Annular erythema of infancy

The lesions of an unusual annular erythema in an infant evolved from erythematous papules, to rings, to interrupted arcs over 36 to 48 hours, and then resolved without a trace. New lesions appeared and evolved with remarkable uniformity for eight months and then disappeared. This seemingly unique eruption is compared with other annular erythemas described in infants.

Pruritus and nonspecific nodules preceding myelomonocytic leukemia

Subacute myelomonocytic leukemia is typically preceded by a preleukemic phase lasting 1 to 10 years. We describe a case of subacute myelomonocytic leukemia preceded by pruritus for 7 years and by the intermittent appearance of nonspecific necrotic dermal nodules for 4 years.

Linear porokeratosis and other linear cutaneous eruptions of childhood

Several distinct linear cutaneous eruptions occur in childhood. They differ in natural history, response to therapy, and association with other abnormalities that may affect the child's general well-being.

Eosinophilic fasciitis: an early variant of scleroderma

Eosinophilic fasciitis, originally reported as a syndrome distinct from scleroderma, appears now to be an early inflammatory variant of scleroderma. No less than one half of the cases reported as eosinophilic fasciitis have convincing features of scleroderma, including Raynaud's phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, restrictive lung disease, diffuse hyperpigmentation, synovitis, flexion contractures, dermal sclerosis, colonic diverticula, scleroderma kidney, positive latex fixation test, and the presence of serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Clinical presentations of scleroderma range from isolated acrosclerosis to rapidly progressive systemic sclerosis. As clinical experience and long-term follow-up data on eosinophilic fasciitis accumulate, it appears that the syndrome may well represent another variant in the scleroderma spectrum. Reported here is a case which presented clinically and histologically as eosinophilic fasciitis, but which progressed over 3 years to diffuse, histologically confirmed scleroderma.

Bullous disease of childhood

Bullous disease of childhood (BDC) is a persistent or recurrent blistering skin disease characterized by large, tense bullae in a generalized distribution, but with a predilection for the scalp, trunk, pubis, and inner thighs. It usually begins in the first decade of life and spontaneously remits after several months to three years of activity. Sulfapyridine or dapsone therapy usually controls the disease. Administration of corticosteroids for systemic effects should be avoided.

Infantile acropustulosis

Infantile acropustulosis is a syndrome that is characterized by recurrent crops of 1- to 2-mm, intensely pruritic vesicopustules on the distal extremities. The eruption is unresponsive to topical steroids, and pruritus is relieved only by soporific doses of antihistamines.

Botryomycosis. A bacterial cause of mycetoma

Botryomycosis is a chronic, granulomatous, bacterial infection in which grains are produced. Clinically, it may not be distinguished from a mycetoma of fungal origin. A case is reported in which the causative organisms were Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Treatment of psoriasis with 8-methoxypsoralen and sunlight

Photochemotherapy with 8-methoxypsoralen and sunlight (PUVA-SOL), administered three times weekly, proved effective in the treatment of psoriasis. Weekend photochemotherapy (modified PUVA-SOL) also appeared useful as an adjunct to standard topical corticosteroid therapy. Careful measurement of ambient long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA) in the treatment locale and respect for the phototoxic potential of PUVA-SOL are necessary for success. The long-range toxicity of psoralen photochemotherapy remains undetermined.