Fixed-combination halobetasol propionate and tazarotene topical lotion decreases TNF-α and IL-17A levels in psoriatic lesions

Objective Fixed-combination halobetasol propionate (0.01%) and tazarotene (0.045%) lotion (HP/TAZ) is approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults, with a demonstrated efficacy and safety profile in phase 3 trials. This study examined the effect of HP/TAZ on the reduction of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 17 A (IL-17A) and its correlation to psoriasis improvement. Materials and methods Ten adults with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis and 2 symmetrical plaques self-applied HP/TAZ (treated plaque) or vehicle lotion (untreated plaque) for 12 weeks. At baseline and each study visit (weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12), Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score and erythema, scaling, and induration were assessed. Additionally, D-squame tape strips were utilized to quantify TNF-α and IL-17A in target lesions by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Significant improvements in mean IGA score in HP/TAZ–treated compared with untreated plaques were evident at week 2 and maintained through week 12 (p < 0.003). HP/TAZ significantly reduced TNF-α levels at weeks 4 through 12 (p < 0.03) and IL-17A levels at weeks 2 through 8 (p < 0.05) in treated compared with untreated plaques. Conclusions HP/TAZ was highly effective in treating psoriasis plaques and, although HP/TAZ is not a biologic, effectively reduced cytokine-associated inflammatory markers that drive psoriatic disease

Ceramide-Containing Adjunctive Skin Care for Skin Barrier Restoration During Acne Vulgaris Treatment

International audienceBarrier damage caused by facial acne vulgaris can be magnified by topical medication, such as adapalene (0.3%) and benzoyl peroxide (2.5%)(A/BPO), which utilizes a retinoid to normalize follicular keratinization and BPO to decrease the C. acnes population. Disease-induced irritation combined with topical medication-induced irritation results in dryness and enhanced inflammation leading to lower compliance and increased skin healing time. Ceramide-based moisturizers have documented barrier repair benefits for eczema but have not been studied for acne. The objective of this double-blind study was to measure the impact of acne treatment on skin barrier function and tolerance when paired with a ceramide routine. Participants were prescribed an A/BPO gel once daily. The treatment group received a ceramide-containing foaming facial cleanser and facial lotion, and the control group received basic foaming face wash for twice-daily use. Participant and investigator tolerability and efficacy were evaluated by both ordinal and clinical measures. Acne lesion counts and Investigator&rsquo;s Global Assessments (IGA) of acne were obtained along with transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements for barrier function. TEWL for the treatment group remained significantly lower than the control at all timepoints and significantly improved from baseline by week 12. The treatment group had statistically lower mean investigator scores for dryness at all timepoints. Inflammatory lesion counts were significantly lower for the treatment group. A/BPO damaged the skin barrier, demonstrated by elevated TEWL, contributing to dryness, redness, and scaling. Use of a ceramide-containing cleanser and moisturizer significantly reduced severity and incidence of dryness, erythema, and scaling while more quickly resolving barrier damage and restoring function