Dermatology Times and Dermatology Advisor each featured a February JDD study about topical clascoterone for facial acne vulgaris. The study, “Efficacy and Safety of 1% Clascoterone Cream in Patients Aged > 12 Years With Acne Vulgaris” by Adelaide A. Hebert, MD, and colleagues, presented a pooled data analysis of the efficacy and safety of 1% clascoterone cream after 12 weeks of treatment in patients 12 years or older from two phase 3 trials. Researchers found clascoterone safe and effective in the trial subjects. The authors write that topical 1% clascoterone is the first topical hormonal agent that may be used safely in men with acne, and that the cream should be investigated as a potential first-line treatment in conjunction with existing topical and oral therapies.
Healio profiled a February JDD study about a lack of consensus among Mohs surgeons over the diagnosis of in situ carcinoma. The study, “Concordance in Distinguishing Actinic Keratosis from Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Situ on Mohs Histological Frozen Sections,” was authored by Tian Hao Zhu, MD, and colleagues from the University of Virginia. Researchers conducted a survey of fellows of the American College of Mohs Surgeons. Respondents were asked to distinguish actinic keratosis from squamous cell carcinoma in situ when evaluating frozen sections taken by Mohs surgery. Out of 17 cases, survey participants provided the correct response in an average of 9.2 cases. The authors recommend additional learning and consensus building among Mohs surgeons to enhance quality of care, though they acknowledge Mohs surgeons may not agree on every case.
Healio wrote about two JDD studies on halobetasol propionate 0.01% and tazarotene 0.045% (HP/TAZ). An article about patient expectations of topical therapies was based on the February JDD study, “Meeting Patient Expectations of Topical Psoriasis Treatment: Evidence Supporting the Use of Fixed-Combination Halobetasol/Tazarotene Lotion,” by James Del Rosso, DO, and colleagues. Researchers found that, of topical treatments, once-daily application of HP/TAZ was not only efficacious but met patient expectations in terms of greasiness, absorption and moisturization. The combination therapy also demonstrated rapid onset of effect, enduring skin clearance and symptom improvement posttreatment. The study authors point out that the positive qualities of HP/TAZ lotion may optimize treatment adherence, which may increase the likelihood of disease improvement and clear skin.
Additionally, Healio also wrote about the use of HP/TAZ for palmoplantar psoriasis based on the February JDD study, “An Investigator-Initiated Trial of a Polymeric Emulsion of Halobetasol Propionate and Tazarotene in the Treatment of Palmoplantar Psoriasis,” by Jenna Yousif and colleagues. The open-label investigator-initiated trial involved 21 patients with moderate-to-severe palmoplantar plaque-type psoriasis who were treated with HP/TAZ. Researchers found HP/TAZ lotion significantly improved signs and symptoms as well as disease severity. The authors note that the study shows the positive response of treatment with HP/TAZ even in a population of patients who had experienced failure with mid-to-high potency topical corticosteroids.
