CAB Gel Shows Promising Results for Hispanic Patients with Acne

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In a poster presented at the 2024 Elevate-Derm West Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona this week, researchers investigated the efficacy and safety of fixed-dose clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/adapalene 0.15%/benzoyl peroxide 3.1% (CAB) gel in Hispanic patients with moderate to severe acne. At week 12, they found that over half of Hispanic participants achieved treatment success with CAB versus less than a quarter of those on vehicle gel (56.2% vs 18.4%; P<0.001).¹

“These results, combined with those of previous post hoc analyses in self-identified Black study participants, demonstrated that CAB is an efficacious, safe, and tolerable acne treatment for patients of different racial and ethnic backgrounds,” researchers wrote.

Methods

The poster summarized a phase 2 (NCT03170388)² and 2 phase 3 (NCT04214652 and NCT04214639)³ randomized, double-blind, 12-week studies. Of the total study population, 147 self-identified as Hispanic and were analyzed to evaluate treatment success and adverse events specifically within this demographic.

The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants achieving “treatment success,” defined as at least a 2-grade reduction in the Evaluator’s Global Severity Score (EGSS) and a final score of “clear” or “almost clear” skin. Additional endpoints included changes in inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesion counts and safety parameters such as cutaneous adverse events.

Results

Of the 147 Hispanic participants, 64% were randomized to receive the CAB gel, while 36% received the vehicle gel. Researchers reported the demographic breakdown to be average age of approximately 20 years, with a mix of male and female participants and a majority classified as White-Hispanic. Baseline lesion counts and severity scores were comparable across both treatment groups.

By Week 12, the studies found the CAB gel showed a significant improvement in treatment success rates compared to the vehicle. Approximately 56.2% of Hispanic participants treated with CAB achieved treatment success, compared to only 18.4% in the vehicle group. Researchers stated inflammatory lesion counts were reduced by 75%, and non-inflammatory lesion counts saw a reduction of 57.8% with CAB gel by the study’s end, showing marked improvements over the vehicle.

Figures from the poster illustrate the reduction in lesion counts and treatment success rates across weekly visits. For both inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, reductions with CAB gel were statistically significant from week 4 through week 12 compared to the vehicle group. 

The majority of adverse events were mild to moderate, with a low incidence of severe events reported. Researchers reported most adverse events included application site reactions such as dryness, itching, and burning, which decreased over time and were manageable. 

Clinical Implications

This study demonstrated that the CAB gel is an effective and tolerable option for Hispanic patients with moderateto severe acne. Researchers stated the favorable efficacy and safety profile aligns with findings from previous analyses in broader populations as well as a post hoc analysis in Black study participants, supporting CAB as a suitable treatment across diverse ethnic groups. Given the scarcity of acne treatment data specific to Hispanic populations, this analysis provides valuable insights into CAB gel’s benefits for this demographic. 

Conclusion

The study found that CAB gel, combining clindamycin phosphate, adapalene, and benzoyl peroxide, provides effective treatment with a favorable safety profile for Hispanic patients with moderate to severe acne. It highlights its potential as a go-to treatment option, delivering high treatment success rates and substantial lesion reductions. Researchers stated that clinicians treating diverse patient populations, including Hispanic individuals, can consider CAB gel as a safe, effective option for achieving better skin outcomes in patients with acne.

References

1. Callender V, Baldwin H, Stein Gold L, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Fixed-Dose Clindamycin phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl peroxide 3.1% Gel in Hispanic Participants with Moderate-to-Severe Acne. Presented at the 2024 Elevate-Derm West Conference. November 7-10, 2024, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
2. Stein Gold L, Baldwin H, Kircik LH, et al. Efficacy and Safety of a Fixed-Dose Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%, Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1%, and Adapalene 0.15% Gel for Moderate-to-Severe Acne: A Randomized Phase II Study of the First Triple-Combination Drug. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(1):93-104. doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00650-3
3. Baldwin H, Harper JC, Zeichner JA, et al. Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% Gel in Participants With Moderate-to-Severe Acne: The Patient Journey. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(11):1017-1024. doi:10.36849/JDD.8639