INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE: Real-World Cases of Clascoterone Topical Treatment for Acne and Related Disorders
January 2025 | Volume 24 | Issue 1 | 73361s3 | Copyright © January 2025
Published online December 31, 2024
Charles Lynde MDa, Sonya Abdulla MDb, Anneke Andriessen PhDc, Sam Hanna MDd, Fatemeh Jafarian MDe, Monica Li MDf, Jennifer Lipson MDg, Andrei Metelitsa MDh, Barbara Miedrzybrodzski MDi, Elena Netchiporouk MDj, MSc, Jaggi Rao MDk, Christopher Sibley MD PhDl, Jerry Tan MDm
aDepartment of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
bDermatology on Bloor, Toronto, Ontario Canada
cUMC Radboud, Nijmegen, Andriessen Consultants, Malden, The Netherlands
dDepartment of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
eDepartment of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
fDepartment of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
gThe Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
hDivision of Dermatology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
iDepartment of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
jDermatology and Experimental Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
kDivision of Dermatology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
lVictoria Park Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
mDepartment of Medicine, Western University, Ontario, Canada
Abstract
Acne vulgaris affects approximately 80% of young adults and adolescents in the world. Acne presents as comedones, pustules, papules, and nodules on the face, chest, shoulders, or back. It can lead to a significant decrease in quality of life with a high risk of associated depression and anxiety. Hyperstimulation of sebaceous glands by androgens play a pivotal role in acne pathogenesis. Clascoterone 1% cream is a first-in-class topical androgen receptor inhibitor approved for treatment of acne in patients 12 years and older. In the following real-world cases, expert dermatologists demonstrate use of clascoterone cream as monotherapy or in combination with other agents to treat acne in a variety of patients. Experts found that twice-daily use led to best overall results with patients. Real-world cases serve as invaluable guides for patients and dermatologists to help form personalized, targeted acne regimens.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24:1(Suppl 2):s3-10.
INTRODUCTION
Acne vulgaris is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit.1 The condition affects approximately 9% of the worldwide population with increased prevalence among young adults aged 12 to 24 years.1,2 Around 80% of young adults and adolescents are affected by acne with 15% to 20% of those cases being severe acne.3 Primary acne lesions are comedones (open or closed) and inflammatory lesions such as papules, pustules, and nodules.1 Secondary acne changes include scarring, erythema, and dyspigmentation, which may have longer-lasting effects than primary lesions.1 The investigator global assessment (IGA) is often used to grade acne severity.4 Acne has been highly associated with lower self-esteem, body image, and co-morbid depression and anxiety.2
While acne pathogenesis is multifactorial, there are 4 common aspects that lead to acne: (1) dysregulation of sebaceous gland activity and sebaceous hyperexcreation (2) abnormal follicular infundibular epithelial proliferation and differentiation (3) bacterial colonization, by pro-inflammatory Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) and (4) inflammation.1-4 Acne treatments are largely aimed at targeting one or more of these pathogenetic factors.
