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Three-Step System Effective for Acne Treatment Without Use of Antibiotic: Presented at AAD

By Jill Stein

SAN FRANCISCO -- March 10, 2009 -- A 3-step acne system that contains a novel solubilised 5% benzoyl peroxide formulation together with a proprietary cleaner and toner containing salicylic acid is an effective antibiotic-free approach to the treatment of acne, researchers reported here at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) 67th Annual Meeting.

According to the researchers, the 3-step acne system is at least as effective as benzoyl peroxide plus clindamycin on several important measures, the investigators said.

Diane Thiboutot, MD, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, and colleagues randomised 139 patients with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris to 10 weeks of treatment with the 3-step acne system or benzoyl peroxide 5% plus clindamycin 1% twice daily.

The main efficacy measure was a reduction in noninflammatory and inflammatory lesion counts.

Participants in the trial had a mean of 52 noninflammatory lesions at baseline and 28 inflammatory lesions.

Compared with benzoyl peroxide plus clindamycin, the 3-step acne system was associated with numerically greater but statistically nonsignificant reductions in noninflammatory lesion counts. The mean reductions were 27% versus 13% at week 2, 39% versus 25% at week 4, and 40% versus 33% at week 6, respectively.

At week 10, the 2 treatments achieved reductions in noninflammatory lesion counts of 42%.

The study was not powered to detect statistically significant differences but the early differences appear to be significant, researchers said.

The 3-step acne system and benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin had comparable reductions in inflammatory lesion counts at all time points.

Both treatments were usually well tolerated, according to the researchers.

The potential of the 3-step acne system for a more rapid onset of action against noninflammatory lesions is likely due to the solubilisation of the benzoyl peroxide, enhancing its bioavailability and intrafollicular penetration.

The unique solvent technology used in the formulation may also play a role in enhancing its efficacy in the early weeks of treatment, they added.

Funding for the study was provided by OMP, Inc.

[Presentation Title: Comparison of a 3-Step Acne System Containing Solubilized Benzoyl Peroxide Versus Benzoyl Peroxide/Clindamycin: A Multicenter, Investigator-Blind, Randomized Study. Abstract P714]

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