A low-dose modified formulation of minocycline hydrochloride, DFD-29, is under evaluation for treating papulopustular rosacea (PPR). To determine the efficacy and safety of DFD-29, 40 mg, compared with doxycycline, 40 mg, and placebo for treating PPR. This study included data from 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 randomized clinical trials (MVOR-1 and MVOR-2) conducted between March 2022 and May 2023 at 61 centers in the US and Germany. Healthy adults 18 years and older with moderate to severe PPR were included. Participants were randomized 3:3:2 to oral DFD-29 (minocycline hydrochloride capsules), 40 mg; doxycycline, 40 mg; or placebo once daily for 16 weeks. The coprimary efficacy outcomes were (1) proportion of participants with Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) treatment success with DFD-29 vs placebo and (2) total inflammatory lesion count reductions with DFD-29 vs placebo. Secondary outcomes included comparisons between DFD-29 and doxycycline in coprimary outcomes and between DFD-29 and placebo in erythema reduction. Of 653 participants enrolled, 323 were randomized in MVOR-1 (247 [76.5%] women; mean [SD] age, 47.2 [13.7] years) and 330 were randomized in MVOR-2 (249 [75.5%] women; mean [SD] age, 51.6 [14.0] years). DFD-29 demonstrated superior efficacy in IGA success rates compared with placebo (MVOR-1: treatment difference [TD], 32.9%; 95% CI, 19.6-46.2; P < .001; MVOR-2: TD, 34.1%; 95% CI, 21.3-46.8; P < .001) and compared with doxycycline (MVOR-1: TD, 18.0%; 95% CI, 5.0-31.1; P = .01; MVOR-2: TD, 28.3%; 95% CI, 17.4-39.3; P < .001). DFD-29 also showed superior efficacy in least-squares mean reductions in total inflammatory lesions vs placebo (MVOR-1: TD, −9.2; 95% CI, −11.5 to −6.9; P < .001; MVOR-2: TD, −6.8; 95% CI, −8.9 to −4.8; P < .001) and doxycycline (MVOR-1: TD, −4.7; 95% CI, −6.7 to −2.8; P < .001; MVOR-2: TD, −3.5; 95% CI, −5.4 to −1.6; P < .001). Adverse events with DFD-29, doxycycline, and placebo were reported in 32 of 121 (26.4%), 25 of 116 (21.6%), and 27 of 76 (35.5%), respectively, in MVOR-1 and 51 of 122 (41.8%), 40 of 121 (33.1%), and 30 of 82 (36.6%), respectively, in MVOR-2. The most common adverse events with DFD-29, doxycycline, and placebo were nasopharyngitis, reported in 4 of 121 (3.3%), 2 of 116 (1.7%), and 3 of 76 (3.9%), respectively, in MVOR-1 and 13 of 122 (10.7%), 10 of 121 (8.3%), and 13 of 82 (15.9%), respectively, in MVOR-2, and COVID-19, reported in 4 of 121 (3.3%), 3 of 116 (2.6%), and 4 of 76 (5.3%) in MVOR-1 and 7 of 122 (5.7%), 8 of 121 (6.6%), and 5 of 82 (6.1%) in MVOR-2. In this study, DFD-29 was superior in efficacy to both doxycycline and placebo and demonstrated a favorable risk-benefit profile in the treatment of PPR. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifiers: NCT05296629 and NCT05343455

BACKGROUND:The topical phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor roflumilast has been studied in several dermatologic conditions. OBJECTIVE:Roflumilast foam 0.3% is being investigated as a topical treatment for seborrheic dermatitis (SD). METHODS:In this phase 3, double-blinded trial, patients with SD were randomly assigned (2:1 ratio) to once-daily roflumilast foam 0.3% or vehicle foam for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) Success at week 8, defined as IGA of 0 (Clear) or 1 (Almost Clear) plus ≥2-point improvement from baseline. Safety was also assessed. RESULTS:79.5% of roflumilast-treated and 58.0% of vehicle-treated patients met the primary endpoint (P < .001); statistically significant differences in IGA Success also favored roflumilast at week 2 (roflumilast: 43.0%; vehicle: 25.7%; P < .001) and week 4 (roflumilast: 73.1%; vehicle: 47.1%; P < .001). Roflumilast was well-tolerated with a low rate of treatment-emergent adverse events. LIMITATIONS:Study limitations include the 8-week treatment period for this chronic condition. CONCLUSIONS:Once-daily roflumilast foam was superior to vehicle in leading to IGA of Clear or Almost Clear plus ≥2-point improvement from baseline at 8 weeks in patients with SD. Longer trials are needed to determine durability and safety of roflumilast foam in SD.

Background: Tildrakizumab is an anti–interleukin-23 p19 monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. As patients with psoriasis and the elderly population are at increased risk for comorbidities, it is important to assess tildrakizumab's efficacy and safety across age groups.

Background: Notalgia paresthetica (NP) is a common, but underdiagnosed, condition characterized by chronic pruritus of the upper back.

BACKGROUND:Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) need safe and effective topical treatments.OBJECTIVE:To assess safety and efficacy of roflumilast cream in patients with mild to moderate AD.METHODS:In this phase 2, proof of concept trial, patients (N=136) aged &ge;12 years with AD were randomized to once-daily roflumilast cream 0.15%, roflumilast cream 0.05%, or vehicle cream for 4 weeks. Absolute change from baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score at week 4 (primary endpoint), percentage change and responder rates, Validated Investigator Global Assessment-AD (vIGA-AD), and safety were assessed.RESULTS:At week 4, mean absolute changes in EASI were &minus;6.4 (P=0.097 vs vehicle), &minus;6.0 (P=0.356), and &minus;4.8 with roflumilast 0.15%, roflumilast 0.05%, and vehicle, respectively. Significant improvements were observed for percentage change from baseline in EASI, patients reaching 75% improvement in EASI, and patients achieving vIGA-AD score of &ldquo;clear&rdquo; or &ldquo;almost clear.&rdquo; Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 2 (2.2%) patients receiving roflumilast (mild rash and moderate application site pain). Only 1 (1.1%) patient receiving roflumilast discontinued study/drug due to an AE.LIMITATIONS:Small number of patients.CONCLUSIONS:Results support additional larger clinical trials of roflumilast cream to assess its potential as a once-daily, nonsteroidal topical AD treatment.CLINICALTRIALS:gov identifier NCT03916081 J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(2):139-147. doi:10.36849/JDD.7295.

ImportanceCurrent topical treatment options for seborrheic dermatitis are limited by efficacy and/or safety.ObjectiveTo assess safety and efficacy of roflumilast foam, 0.3%, in adult patients with seborrheic dermatitis affecting the scalp, face, and/or trunk.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis multicenter (24 sites in the US and Canada) phase 2a, parallel group, double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical trial was conducted between November 12, 2019, and August 21, 2020. Participants were adult (aged ≥18 years) patients with a clinical diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis for a 3-month or longer duration and Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score of 3 or greater (at least moderate), affecting 20% or less body surface area, including scalp, face, trunk, and/or intertriginous areas. Data analysis was performed from September to October 2020.InterventionsOnce-daily roflumilast foam, 0.3% (n = 154), or vehicle foam (n = 72) for 8 weeks.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe main outcome was IGA success, defined as achievement of IGA score of clear or almost clear plus 2-grade improvement from baseline, at week 8. Secondary outcomes included IGA success at weeks 2 and 4; achievement of erythema score of 0 or 1 plus 2-grade improvement from baseline at weeks 2, 4, and 8; achievement of scaling score of 0 or 1 plus 2-grade improvement from baseline at weeks 2, 4, and 8; change in Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale (WI-NRS) score from baseline; and WI-NRS success, defined as achievement of 4-point or greater WI-NRS score improvement in patients with baseline WI-NRS score of 4 or greater. Safety and tolerability were also assessed.ResultsA total of 226 patients (mean [SD] age, 44.9 [16.8] years; 116 men, 110 women) were randomized to roflumilast foam (n = 154) or vehicle foam (n = 72). At week 8, 104 (73.8%) roflumilast-treated patients achieved IGA success compared with 27 (40.9%) in the vehicle group (P < .001). Roflumilast-treated patients had statistically significantly higher rates of IGA success vs vehicle at week 2, the first time point assessed. Mean (SD) reductions (improvements) on the WI-NRS at week 8 were 59.3% (52.5%) vs 36.6% (42.2%) in the roflumilast and vehicle groups, respectively (P < .001). Roflumilast was well tolerated, with the rate of adverse events similar to that of the vehicle foam.Conclusions and RelevanceThe results from this phase 2a randomized clinical trial of once-daily roflumilast foam, 0.3%, demonstrated favorable efficacy, safety, and local tolerability in the treatment of erythema, scaling, and itch caused by seborrheic dermatitis, supporting further investigation as a nonsteroidal topical treatment.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04091646

BACKGROUND:In two severe congenital ichthyosis subtypes, autosomal recessive lamellar ichthyosis (ARCI-LI) and X-linked recessive ichthyosis (XLRI), cutaneous manifestations include widespread scaling. Approved topical treatment options are limited to emollients and keratolytics. AIM:This analysis from the randomized phase IIb CONTROL study assessed whether the efficacy and safety of TMB-001, a novel topical isotretinoin ointment formulation, differed between ARCI-LI and XLRI subtypes. METHODS:Participants ≥ 9 years with genetically confirmed XLRI or ARCI-LI and ≥ 2 (of 4) Visual Index for Ichthyosis Severity (VIIS) assessment areas with ≥ 3 scaling score were randomized 1 : 1 : 1 to TMB-001 0.05%/TMB-001 0.1%/vehicle, twice daily for 12 weeks. The proportion of participants with ≥ 50% reduction vs. baseline in VIIS scaling (VIIS 50; primary endpoint) and ≥ 2-grade reduction in Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA)-scaling score vs. baseline (key secondary endpoint) were evaluated. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored. RESULTS:Among enrolled participants (TMB-001 0.05%, n = 11; 0.1%, n = 10; and vehicle, n = 12), 52% had ARCI-LI and 48% XLRI subtypes. Mean age was 33.6 and 35.4 years for participants with ARCI-LI and XLRI, respectively. Overall, 33%, 50% and 17% of participants with ARCI-LI and 100%, 33% and 75% of participants with XLRI achieved VIIS 50 in the TMB-001 0.05%, TMB-001 0.1% and vehicle groups, respectively (nominal P = 0.24 for 0.05% vs. vehicle, intent-to-treat population). Improvement of ≥ 2-grade IGA score was observed in 33%, 50% and 0% of participants with ARCI-LI and 83%, 33% and 25% of participants with XLRI in the TMB-001 0.05%, TMB-001 0.1% and vehicle groups, respectively (nominal P = 0.03 for 0.05% vs. vehicle, intention-to-treat population). Most AEs were application-site reactions. CONCLUSION:Regardless of congenital ichthyosis subtype, TMB-001 demonstrated greater proportions of participants achieving VIIS 50 and ≥ 2-grade IGA improvement vs. vehicle.

Importance:Current topical treatment options for seborrheic dermatitis are limited by efficacy and/or safety. Objective:To assess safety and efficacy of roflumilast foam, 0.3%, in adult patients with seborrheic dermatitis affecting the scalp, face, and/or trunk. Design, Setting, and Participants:This multicenter (24 sites in the US and Canada) phase 2a, parallel group, double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical trial was conducted between November 12, 2019, and August 21, 2020. Participants were adult (aged ≥18 years) patients with a clinical diagnosis of seborrheic dermatitis for a 3-month or longer duration and Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score of 3 or greater (at least moderate), affecting 20% or less body surface area, including scalp, face, trunk, and/or intertriginous areas. Data analysis was performed from September to October 2020. Interventions:Once-daily roflumilast foam, 0.3% (n = 154), or vehicle foam (n = 72) for 8 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures:The main outcome was IGA success, defined as achievement of IGA score of clear or almost clear plus 2-grade improvement from baseline, at week 8. Secondary outcomes included IGA success at weeks 2 and 4; achievement of erythema score of 0 or 1 plus 2-grade improvement from baseline at weeks 2, 4, and 8; achievement of scaling score of 0 or 1 plus 2-grade improvement from baseline at weeks 2, 4, and 8; change in Worst Itch Numeric Rating Scale (WI-NRS) score from baseline; and WI-NRS success, defined as achievement of 4-point or greater WI-NRS score improvement in patients with baseline WI-NRS score of 4 or greater. Safety and tolerability were also assessed. Results:A total of 226 patients (mean [SD] age, 44.9 [16.8] years; 116 men, 110 women) were randomized to roflumilast foam (n = 154) or vehicle foam (n = 72). At week 8, 104 (73.8%) roflumilast-treated patients achieved IGA success compared with 27 (40.9%) in the vehicle group (P < .001). Roflumilast-treated patients had statistically significantly higher rates of IGA success vs vehicle at week 2, the first time point assessed. Mean (SD) reductions (improvements) on the WI-NRS at week 8 were 59.3% (52.5%) vs 36.6% (42.2%) in the roflumilast and vehicle groups, respectively (P < .001). Roflumilast was well tolerated, with the rate of adverse events similar to that of the vehicle foam. Conclusions and Relevance:The results from this phase 2a randomized clinical trial of once-daily roflumilast foam, 0.3%, demonstrated favorable efficacy, safety, and local tolerability in the treatment of erythema, scaling, and itch caused by seborrheic dermatitis, supporting further investigation as a nonsteroidal topical treatment. Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04091646.

This analysis from the randomized Phase IIb CONTROL study investigated the characteristics of participants [at least 9 years of age with genetically confirmed congenital ichthyosis and at least 2 (out of 4) Visual Index for Ichthyosis Severity (VIIS) assessment areas with at least a scaling score of 3)] who responded to treatment with TMB-001, a novel topical isotretinoin ointment formulation. Baseline demographics were generally similar among participants who did or did not achieve TMB-001 treatment success, and higher baseline Dermatology Life Quality Index and Itch-Numeric Rating Scale scores were associated with participants achieving treatment success. Lower body surface area involvement was also associated with TMB-001 treatment success. Background Emollients and keratolytics are frequently used to manage symptoms of congenital ichthyosis (CI). Systemic retinoid treatment is complicated by teratogenicity and dose-limiting adverse effects. Objectives This analysis from the randomized Phase IIb CONTROL study investigated the characteristics of participants who responded to treatment with TMB-001, a novel topical isotretinoin ointment formulation. Methods Participants >= 9 years of age with genetically confirmed CI and >= 2 (out of 4) Visual Index for Ichthyosis Severity (VIIS) assessment areas with >= 3 scaling score were randomized 1 : 1 : 1 to TMB-001 0.05%, TMB-001 0.1% or vehicle, twice daily for 12 weeks. Efficacy endpoints included the proportion of participants with >= 50% reduction in VIIS-scaling (VIIS-50) compared with baseline and >= 2-grade reduction in Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA)-scaling score compared with baseline. Changes in body surface area (BSA) involvement, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores and Itch-Numeric Rating Scale (I-NRS) scores were assessed. Results Among the 33 participants (11 randomized to TMB-001 0.05%, 10 to TMB-001 0.1% and 12 to vehicle), median age was 29 years (range 9-80), and most were male (64%) and White (79%). Baseline demographics were generally similar among participants who did or did not achieve TMB-001 treatment success. Participants who had lower mean BSA involvement and higher DLQI and I-NRS scores at baseline were more likely to achieve VIIS-50. Similarly, higher baseline DLQI and I-NRS scores were associated with IGA response; BSA involvement was similar for IGA responders vs. nonresponders. Conclusions Higher DLQI and I-NRS scores at baseline were associated with participants achieving treatment success by VIIS-50 and IGA response. Lower BSA involvement was associated with VIIS-50 success.

Treatment with oral retinoids can be effective in patients with congenital ichthyosis (CI) but may be associated with clinically significant laboratory changes. In this Phase 2b CONTROL study analysis, we characterize the effects of TMB-001, a novel topical isotretinoin formulation, on laboratory values in participants with X-linked recessive (XLRI) and autosomal recessive lamellar (ARCI-LI) ichthyosis at 12 weeks. A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, Phase 2b study was conducted with participants ≥ 9 years of age with confirmed XLRI and ARCI-LI. Participants were randomized 1:1:1 and stratified by CI subtype to receive TMB-001 0.05

Background Limited information is available regarding real-world treatment patterns and their effectiveness and safety in patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma, including patients not typically represented in clinical trials. The purpose of the current study was to describe how clinicians diagnose and treat locally advanced basal cell carcinoma in the United States. Methods This prospective, multicenter, observational registry study included patients with newly diagnosed, Hedgehog pathway inhibitor–naive locally advanced basal cell carcinoma without basal cell carcinoma nevus syndrome (n = 433) treated at 75 US academic and community practices, including dermatology, Mohs surgery, and medical oncology sites. The main outcomes of this study were treatment patterns and associated effectiveness and safety for patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma in real-world settings. Results Determination of locally advanced basal cell carcinoma was mainly based on lesion size (79.6% of patients), histopathology (54.3%), extent of involvement (49.0%), and location (46.2%). Within 90 days of determination of locally advanced disease, 115 patients (26.6%) received vismodegib, 251 (58.0%) received surgery/other (non-vismodegib) treatment, and 67 (15.5%) had not yet received treatment (observation). Vismodegib-treated patients had a higher prevalence of high-risk clinical features predictive for locoregional recurrence than those with non-vismodegib treatment or observation. Clinical response rate was 85.1% with vismodegib and 94.9% with non-vismodegib treatment (primarily surgery). The most common adverse events with vismodegib were ageusia/dysgeusia, muscle spasms, alopecia, and weight loss. Rates of cutaneous squamous cell cancers were comparable between vismodegib and non-vismodegib treatment. Conclusions This prospective observational study offers insight on real-world practice, treatment selection, and outcomes for a nationally representative sample of US patients with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma. For patients with lesions that were not amenable to surgery, vismodegib treatment was associated with effectiveness and safety that was consistent with that observed in clinical trials.

Roflumilast cream 0.3% is a selective, highly potent phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor being investigated as a nonsteroidal, once-daily treatment for psoriasis. Here we describe pooled efficacy and safety results from 2 identical Phase 3 randomized controlled trials of roflumilast cream (DERMIS-1: NCT04211363 and DERMIS-2: NCT04211389). Patients with psoriasis involving 2-20% of body surface area (aged ≥2 years) were randomized to roflumilast (n = 576) or vehicle (n = 305) for 8 weeks. Significantly greater percentages of roflumilast-treated versus vehicle-treated patients achieved the primary efficacy endpoint, Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) Success (Clear or Almost Clear IGA plus ≥2-grade improvement from baseline) at Week 8 (39.9% vs.

To the Editor: Hyperkeratosis and widespread scaling are characteristic findings among patients with X-linked recessive or autosomal recessive lamellar (ARCI-LI) congenital ichthyosis (CI) subtypes.1 CI management predominantly includes emollients, keratolytics, and off-label retinoids.1,2 TMB-001 is a proprietary, novel, topical isotretinoin ointment formulation to treat CI using a patented IPEG™ pegylation technology isotretinoin delivery system. A phase 2a study evaluating TMB-001 in patients with CI found no concerning safety signals or evidence of significant systemic exposure to isotretinoin/tretinoin through 12 weeks while demonstrating a positive efficacy signal.

External genital warts are caused by various subtypes of the human papilloma virus and spread through direct skin-to-skin contact. Approximately 1% of the US population have external genital warts. Although cantharidin has been used to treat external genital warts for decades, there are no US Food and Drug Administration-approved cantharidin products and no reliable or controlled sources of cantharidin available. VP-102 is a drug-device combination product containing cantharidin (0.7% w/v) in a single-use shelf-stable applicator. The objective of this randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, phase II clinical trial was to determine the optimal regimen for the treatment, safety, and efficacy of VP-102 in external genital warts. The study was conducted in two parts. Part A was dose finding and Part B was performed following the completion of Part A for a safety and efficacy evaluation. Following completion of Part A, 6-h and 24-h VP-102 regimens under occlusion were selected to be evaluated in Part B. Pooled results from Part B and Part A of the 6-h and 24-h VP-102 treatment regimens showed that 36.7% and 33.3% of participants achieved complete clearance of all treatable external genital warts at the end of treatment vs 4.2% (p < 0.0048) and 0% (p < 0.0075) with the vehicle. Adverse events experienced by the VP-102-treated participants were consistent with the pharmacodynamic action of cantharidin as a vesicant and were primarily mild to moderate in severity. The most common adverse events included application-site vesicles, pain, and erythema. No participants discontinued the study because of adverse events and no serious adverse events were deemed treatment related. The adverse event profile and efficacy of VP-102 under occlusion demonstrated in this study support the conclusion that a 6-h or up to 24-h exposure regimen represents an acceptable risk:benefit profile and justifies the conduct of a larger vehicle-controlled phase III study in external genital warts. NCT03981822, actual study start date: 25 June, 2019; actual primary completion date: 21 May, 2020; actual study completion date: 8 July, 2020.