Randomized phase 3 evaluation of trifarotene 50 μg/g cream treatment of moderate facial and truncal acne

Background: Acne vulgaris often affects the face, shoulders, chest, and back, but treatment of nonfacial acne has not been rigorously studied. Objectives: Assess the safety and efficacy of trifarotene 50 mu g/g cream, a novel topical retinoid, in moderate facial and truncal acne. Methods: Two phase III double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled, 12-week studies of once-daily trifarotene cream versus vehicle in subjects aged 9 years or older. The primary end points were rate of success on the face, as determined by the Investigator's Global Assessment (clear or almost clear and >= 2-grade improvement), and absolute change from baseline in inflammatory and noninflammatory counts from baseline to week 12. The secondary end points were rate of success on the trunk (clear or almost clear and >= 2-grade improvement) and absolute change in truncal inflammatory and noninflammatory counts from baseline to week 12. Safety was assessed through adverse events, local tolerability, vital signs, and routine laboratory testing results. Results: In both studies, at week 12 the facial success rates according to the Investigator's Global Assessment and truncal Physician's Global Assessment and change in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts (both absolute and percentage) were all highly significant (P < .001) in favor of trifarotene when compared with the vehicle. Limitations: Adjunctive topical or systemic treatments were not studied. Conclusion: These studies demonstrate that trifarotene appears to be safe, effective, and well tolerated in treatment of both facial and truncal acne.