Patient Preference for Calcipotriene and Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream Versus Foam for the Topical Treatment of Psoriasis: A Pilot Study

March 2023 | Volume 22 | Issue 3 | 271 | Copyright © March 2023


Published online February 21, 2023

doi:10.36849/JDD.7165 Citation: Kircik C, Kircik LH. Patient preference for calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate cream versus foam for the topical treatment of psoriasis: A pilot study. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(3):271-273. doi:10.36849/JDD.7165

Charles Kircik a, Leon H. Kircik MDb

aStony Brook University SUNY, Stony Brook, NY
bIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN; Physicians Skin Care, PLLC, Louisville, KY; DermResearch, PLLC, Louisville, KY; Skin Sciences, PLLC, Louisville, KY

Abstract
Background: The well-established sequential use of topical calcipotriene and topical betamethasone dipropionate in combination has been shown to provide greater benefit than either monotherapy. A newer topical fixed combination formulation of calcipotriene 0.005% and betamethasone dipropionate 0.064% in a cream base (Cal/BD cream) is effective with high patient ratings for convenience and tolerability. The current study compares patient satisfaction between Cal/BD foam and Cal/BD cream formulations.
Study Design and Patient Demographics: This is a single-use, split body, open label study involving 20 subjects. Ten subjects additionally had scalp psoriasis. Study treatments were applied by the investigator in a randomized manner and patients completed questionnaires to assess treatment preferences.
Findings: Both Cal/BD formulations provided rapid and significant improvement in symptoms of pruritus, stinging, burning, and pain; with no statistically significant difference in response between the 2 treatments. Overall, Cal/BD cream outperformed Cal/BD foam on several key measures for vehicle features and patient satisfaction. For non-scalp application, 55% of subjects preferred Cal/BD cream over Cal/BD foam. For the scalp, 60% of subjects preferred Cal/BD cream over Cal/BD foam. No adverse events were reported during the study.
Conclusion: Results of this current study indicate high levels of patient satisfaction with Cal/BD cream and a preference for the cream base over foam for the treatment of body and scalp psoriasis.
 
J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(3): doi:10.36849/JDD.7165

Citation: Kircik C, Kircik LH. Patient preference for calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate cream versus foam for the topical treatment of psoriasis: A pilot study. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(3):271-273. doi:10.36849/JDD.7165

INTRODUCTION

The sequential use of the topical vitamin D analog, calcipotriene, and the topical corticosteroid, betamethasone dipropionate, is well established for the treatment of psoriasis; and the 2 agents used in combination have been shown to provide greater benefit than either monotherapy.1,2,3

Fixed combinations of calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate (Cal/BD) are available in ointment, foam, and topical suspension formulations. A Cal/BD aerosol foam formulation (Enstilar, LEO Pharma) is well established in the market. In clinical trials for psoriasis, Cal/BD aerosol foam was significantly more effective than either Cal/BD ointment or the individual active ingredients, providing greater and faster reduction in disease severity. Cal/BD foam was also associated with rapid itch reduction.4 Based on a review of data across studies, a panel of experts has suggested that Cal/BD aerosol foam presents an effective, safe, and cost-effective option for management of psoriasis that is beyond mild.5

A newer topical fixed combination formulation of calcipotriene 0.005% and betamethasone dipropionate 0.064% in a cream base (Wynzora® Cream, EPI Health/MC2 Therapeutics) is now available on the market. It features a specialized multimolecular technology (Polyaphron Dispersion [PAD™] Technology) that encapsulates the active ingredients in microscopic oil droplets suspended in an aqueous vehicle. In clinical trials, Cal/BD cream outperformed Cal/BD topical suspension (TS) in terms of Physicians Global Assessment (PGA) and mean psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) improvement at week 8. Cal/BD cream was well tolerated, with no adverse event reported with a frequency greater than 1%.6 In the pivotal trials, patients expressed a preference for the Cal/BD cream formulation, indicating that it was more convenient than the topical suspension.7

The current study is intended to investigate comparative patient satisfaction between Cal/BD foam and Cal/BD cream formulations.
Close Menu