Introduction: Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% (CAB) gel is the only fixed-dose, triple-combination approved for acne. In phase 2 and 3 studies, CAB demonstrated superior efficacy to vehicle and component dyads. This post hoc analysis examined efficacy/tolerability of CAB in 147 self-identified Hispanic/Latino participants (referred to as Hispanic).
Methods: Data were pooled from one phase 2 (NCT03170388) and two phase 3 (NCT04214652, NCT04214639) double-blind, 12-week studies. Eligible participants aged ≥9 years with moderate to severe acne were randomized to once-daily CAB or vehicle. Endpoints included ≥2-grade reduction from baseline in Evaluator's Global Severity Score with clear/almost clear skin (treatment success) and inflammatory/noninflammatory lesion counts. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were assessed.
Results: At week 12, 56.2% of CAB-treated participants achieved treatment success vs 18.4% with vehicle (p < 0.001). Reductions in inflammatory/noninflammatory lesions were 77.1%/76.2% with CAB vs 56.4%/45.0% with vehicle, respectively (p < 0.001, all). CAB TEAE rates were similar to overall study populations (27.0% vs 24.6%-36.2%). Baseline hyperpigmentation scores decreased from 0.6 to 0.3 (1 = mild) at week 12 with CAB. CAB gel was efficacious, safe, and well tolerated in Hispanic participants. Limitations include lack of Fitzpatrick skin phototype and short study duration.
Conclusions: This study provides support for acne treatment with CAB in ethnically diverse populations.
Keywords: Antibiotic; Latino; antimicrobial; retinoid; skin of color; topical.