Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% gel for moderate-to-severe acne: Efficacy and safety results from two randomized phase 3 trials

Abstract

Background: A three-pronged acne treatment approach-combining an antibiotic, antibacterial agent, and retinoid-may provide greater efficacy than single/double treatments. Topical clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 3.1% gel (IDP-126) is the first fixed-dose triple-combination in development for acne.

Objective: To confirm efficacy, safety, and tolerability of IDP-126 gel in acne treatment.

Methods: Two phase 3, double-blind, 12-week studies randomized participants aged ≥9 years with moderate-to-severe acne (N = 183; N = 180) 2:1 to once-daily IDP-126 or vehicle gel. Co-primary endpoints comprised participants achieving ≥2-grade reduction from baseline in Evaluator's Global Severity Score (EGSS) and clear/almost clear skin (treatment success) and change from baseline in inflammatory/noninflammatory lesion counts. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were assessed.

Results: At week 12, 49.6% and 50.5% of participants achieved treatment success with IDP-126 versus 24.9% and 20.5% with vehicle (P < .01, both). IDP-126 also provided significantly greater reductions in inflammatory/noninflammatory lesions versus vehicle (least-squares mean percent range: 72.7% to 80.1% vs 47.6% to 59.6%; P < .001, all). Most TEAEs were of mild-moderate severity.

Limitations: Inter-observer bias/variation in acne severity ratings, limited treatment duration, and population differences that may not generalize to real-world populations.

Conclusion: The innovative fixed-dose, triple-combination IDP-126 gel was efficacious and well tolerated in 2 clinical studies of participants with moderate-to-severe acne.

Keywords: acne; adapalene; benzoyl peroxide; clindamycin phosphate; clinical trial; combination treatment; topical.