Original article
Randomized phase 3 evaluation of trifarotene 50 μg/g cream treatment of moderate facial and truncal acne

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2019.02.044Get rights and content
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Background

Acne vulgaris often affects the face, shoulders, chest, and back, but treatment of nonfacial acne has not been rigorously studied.

Objectives

Assess the safety and efficacy of trifarotene 50 μg/g cream, a novel topical retinoid, in moderate facial and truncal acne.

Methods

Two phase III double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled, 12-week studies of once-daily trifarotene cream versus vehicle in subjects aged 9 years or older. The primary end points were rate of success on the face, as determined by the Investigator's Global Assessment (clear or almost clear and ≥2-grade improvement), and absolute change from baseline in inflammatory and noninflammatory counts from baseline to week 12. The secondary end points were rate of success on the trunk (clear or almost clear and ≥2-grade improvement) and absolute change in truncal inflammatory and noninflammatory counts from baseline to week 12. Safety was assessed through adverse events, local tolerability, vital signs, and routine laboratory testing results.

Results

In both studies, at week 12 the facial success rates according to the Investigator's Global Assessment and truncal Physician's Global Assessment and change in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts (both absolute and percentage) were all highly significant (P < .001) in favor of trifarotene when compared with the vehicle.

Limitations

Adjunctive topical or systemic treatments were not studied.

Conclusion

These studies demonstrate that trifarotene appears to be safe, effective, and well tolerated in treatment of both facial and truncal acne.

Key words

acne vulgaris
phase 3 trial
pivotal trials
trifarotene
truncal acne

Abbreviations used

AE
adverse event
AV
acne vulgaris
IGA
Investigator's Global Assessment (facial acne)
PGA
Physician's Global Assessment (truncal acne)
RAR
retinoic acid receptor
RARγ
retinoic acid receptor-γ
TEAE
treatment-emergent adverse event

Cited by (0)

Funding sources: Supported by Nestle Skin Health Care- Galderma R&D, LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, USA.

Disclosure: Dr Tan has served as a consultant, speaker, and investigator for Galderma. Dr Thiboutot has served as an investigator and consultant for Galderma, Dermik, Novan, Cassiopea, Novartis, and Botanix. Dr Popp, Dr Gooderham, Dr Weiss, Dr Sanchez Colon, Dr Witkowska, and Dr Parish have served as investigators for Galderma. Dr Del Rosso and Dr Johnson have served as investigators, consultants, and speakers for Galderma. Dr Lynde has served as consultant, speaker, and investigator and has participated in advisory boards for Valeant Pharma and Galderma; in addition, he has served as an investigator for Xenon and Demira. Dr Blume-Peytavi has received honoraria for lectures from Nestlé Skin Health–Galderma and has received fees for the conduct of clinical studies. Dr Weglovska has served as an advisory board member and investigator for Galderma and has served as a consultant and investigator for Dermira, Regeneron, UCB, Leo Pharma, Mercu, and Amgen. Dr Stein Gold has served as an investigator, advisor, and speaker for Galderma, Valeant, Novartis, and Allergan and as an investigator and advisor for Derma; in addition, she has also served as an investigator for Novan and Cassiopea. Dr Graeber, Mr Ahmad, and Dr Alió Saenz are employees of Galderma Research and Development LLC.