LAS VEGAS – in mild cases of psoriasis.
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Topicals often are a worthwhile complement to even the most advanced systemic medications, according to Linda Stein Gold, MD, director of clinical research in the department of dermatology at the Henry Ford Health System, Detroit.
Speaking at the Skin Disease Education Foundation’s annual Las Vegas Dermatology Seminar, she pointed out that as the variety of vehicles for topical treatments has grown, so has the need to pay attention to the potency of these treatments. “Traditionally, we had thought we had to use a thick ointment to drive the drug in and get the best efficacy,” she said. “But we’ve changed our thought process.”
For example, betamethasone dipropionate 0.05%, now comes in multiple types of ointments and creams, with different potency classes, including Diprolene ointment, 0.05%, Diprosone cream, 0.05%, Diprolene cream AF, 0.05%, and Diprolene cream, 0.05%, as well as a lotion and an emollient spray.
“It’s the same active drug, but different vehicles absolutely change the potency of the drug,” Dr. Stein Gold said.
So which is the most potent? She said you can’t tell just by the vehicle. In this case, the most potent forms – in the “superpotent” class 1 – are Diprolene cream, 0.05%, and Diprolene ointment, 0.05%. (The National Psoriasis Foundation has a potency chart for topical psoriasis medications.)
She also recommended considering combination therapy with tazarotene. Tazarotene, a vitamin A derivative, is associated with a variety of side effects in 10%-30% of patients, including pruritus, erythema, irritation, skin pain, psoriasis worsening, and burning/stinging. But combination therapy with topical corticosteroids can reduce adverse effects, and it boosts efficacy as well, Dr. Stein Gold said.
She added that tazarotene can be a tool against acne. The 0.1% cream and gel formulations are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating acne; the 0.05% cream and gel forms are approved only for psoriasis. “Both concentrations work well and hit the different pillars of the pathogenesis of acne,” she said.
In addition, Dr. Stein Gold noted that she led two 2018 studies that found a fixed combination of halobetasol propionate 0.01% and tazarotene 0.045% lotion in moderate to severe plaque psoriasis was associated with significant reductions in the severity of the clinical signs of psoriasis, and minimal safety concerns (J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Aug;79[2]:287-93).
As for the future in topical treatment for psoriasis, she said researchers are exploring phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, Janus kinase inhibitors, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists.
Dr. Stein Gold disclosed speaker bureau relationships with Galderma, Leo, Valeant, Novartis, Celgene and Allergan; consulting for Sol‐Gel, Galderma, Leo, Novan, Valeant, Dermira, Novartis, Celgene, Allergan, Foamix, Promius, Anacor and Medimetriks; receiving grant/research support from Galderma, Leo, Novan, Valeant, Dermira, Novartis, Celgene, Allergan and Foamix; and serving on scientific advisory boards for Galderma, Leo, Novan, Valeant, Dermira, Novartis, Celgene, Allergan, Foamix and Promius.
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