Efficacy and Tolerability of Tazarotene Lotion for Truncal Acne

A poster presentation at the 2022 Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA) Conference in Miami, Florida, analyzed the efficacy and tolerability of tazarotene 0.045% for the treatment of truncal acne occurring on the chest and back. The study authors determined that tazarotene lotion uses polymeric emulsion technology to enhance hydration, moisturization, and skin barrier function. Tazarotene lotion also led to statistically significant reductions in truncal acne severity and lesion counts. Approximately 90% of the study participants achieved clear or almost clear skin with 12 weeks of once-daily use. Most participants did not experience tolerability issues.

Currently, there are no specific guidelines for the treatment of truncal acne, therefore facial acne treatment guidelines are typically the basis for truncal acne management. Truncal acne treatment is complicated by the involvement of a large body surface area that frequently comes into contact with clothes. According to the study authors, topical vehicles that provide ease of spreadability, rapid cutaneous penetration/effective drug delivery, and lack of residue are highly desirable for truncal acne treatment.

The study authors aimed to evaluate tazarotene 0.045% lotion on the trunk using 3 studies with distinct objectives:

• Study 1: summarize the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of tazarotene 0.045% lotion in the treatment of truncal acne
• Study 2: compare the irritation potential with repeated application of tazarotene 0.045% lotion and trifarotene 0.005% cream on the trunk
• Study 3: evaluate the spreadability of tazarotene 0.045% lotion and trifarotene 0.005% dream on the trunk

Study 1 included participants 12 years old and above with moderate truncal acne and an Investigator’s Global Assessment score of 3. The mean age was 24.1 years. Participants received a once-daily treatment with tazarotene lotion for 12 weeks. At week 12, 90% of participants achieved clear or almost clear skin, and they had 80% reductions from baseline in total lesion counts. Most participants had no tolerability issues.

Study 2 used a modified cumulative irritancy patch test in 20 healthy adults aged 22-74 years old with Fitzpatrick skin types I-II. The patches were loaded with tazarotene lotion, trifarotene cream, or control, and were applied to the upper back. Patches were replaced every 2-3 days for 12 days. After each patch removal, the skin was assessed for dermal effects on a scale of 0 to 7. After 12 days of exposure, tazarotene lotion was associated with minimal irritation and was significantly less irritating than trifarotene cream.

Study 3 was a double-blind split-body study of 30 healthy adults aged 18-59 years old. Tazarotene lotion and trifarotene cream were applied to a 10cm wide area on one side of the participants’ backs and moved down the back until it would no longer spread; the area of spread was then determined. Overall, skin coverage with tazarotene lotion was 30% greater than with trifarotene cream.

In conclusion, the easy-to-apply tazarotene lotion was effective in improving skin barrier function, it showed no tolerability or irritation issues, and less product was needed to cover the same amount of skin area compared to trifarotene cream, equaling more application per unit volume.

Reference

Kircik L, Draelos D, Guenin E. Tazarotene 0.045% lotion for truncal acne: Efficacy, tolerability, and spreadability. Poster presented at the 2022 Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants Conference; November 17-20, 2022; Miami, Florida; Accessed November 19, 2022. https://www.sdpaconferences.org/hub/events/08d628c0-db6c-4633-8960-74ba986b221a/exhibitors/1dbde28e-991b-45c1-84fd-929ca1a6ccfa