Triple-Combination Acne Treatment Shows Equal Efficacy Across Sexes

A post hoc analysis of two phase 3 studies showed clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel (CAB) had similar efficacy and safety in treating moderate-to-severe acne in both male and female participants.

Researchers for the two multicenter, double-blind studies evaluated the effects of clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel (CAB) in treating moderate-to-severe acne, specifically focusing on the impact of sex on the efficacy and safety of the treatment.

According to the study results, both male and female participants using CAB had significantly higher rates of treatment success compared to vehicle gel. Females had a treatment success rate of 53.7% with CAB vs. 23.0% with vehicle, and males had a 43.1% success rate vs. 24.6% with the vehicle. Reductions in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions were also significantly greater in both sexes treated with CA (77% for inflammatory lesions and 72% for non-inflammatory lesions in both groups).

Acne-specific quality-of-life improvements were notably higher in participants using CAB, and there were no sex-based differences in safety or tolerability. Most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild to moderate, with no differences between sexes.

"CAB demonstrated comparable efficacy, quality-of-life improvements, and safety in female and male participants with moderate-to-severe acne," the authors wrote. "As the first fixed-dose, triple-combination topical formulation, CAB represents an important new treatment for acne."

Source: Lain T, et al. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2024. Doi:10.36849/JDD.8484