Triple-combination gel therapy for acne effective in achieving skin clearance: Study

A recent study published in the Dermatology and Therapy journal demonstrated the efficacy of a triple-combination topical gel in treating moderate-to-severe acne in both adolescents and adults. The study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of the first fixed-dose, triple-combination topical acne product which could potentially revolutionize acne treatment.

The study pooled phase 3 data and focused on the unique approach to acne treatment which was by combining an antibiotic, antimicrobial and retinoid in a single formulation. The triple-combination gel that consisted of clindamycin 1.2%, adapalene 0.15% and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 3.1% showed superior efficacy by reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance when compared to single or double treatments.

This study was conducted in two identical phase 3 trials by including a total of 363 participants of 9 years and above and employed a double-blind, 12-week regimen. The participants were randomized to receive once-daily application of the triple-combination gel or a vehicle gel.

The results of the study at the end of the 12-week period showed a remarkable success in the 50.0% of participants treated with the triple-combination gel. This is defined as a two-grade reduction from baseline in the Evaluator’s Global Severity Score and clear or almost clear skin when compared to only 22.6% of the participants using the vehicle gel.

The triple-combination gel demonstrated significant reductions in both inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions by exceeding 70% reductions at week 12 where the result were significantly greater than that observed with the vehicle gel. Also, the treatment was well-tolerated with most treatment-emergent adverse events being of mild to moderate severity. Only a small percentage of participants discontinued the treatment due to adverse events.

Although transient increases in side effects like the scaling, erythema, itching, burning and stinging were observed with the triple-combination gel and these effects were resolved by the end of the 12-week treatment period. Overall, the implications of this study provide a high level of efficacy while maintaining tolerability with the help of this innovative triple-combination gel for acne treatment.

Source:

Kircik, L. H., Stein Gold, L., Gold, M., Weiss, J. S., Harper, J. C., Del Rosso, J. Q., Bunick, C. G., Bhatia, N., Tanghetti, E. A., Eichenfield, L. F., Baldwin, H., Draelos, Z. D., Callender, V. D., Han, G., Gooderham, M. J., Sadick, N., Lupo, M. P., Lain, E., & Werschler, W. P. (2024). Triple Combination Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% for Acne: Efficacy and Safety from a Pooled Phase 3 Analysis. In Dermatology and Therapy. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-024-01155-7