A pooled analysis of randomized, controlled, phase 3 trials investigating the efficacy and safety of a novel, fixed dose calcipotriene and betamethasone dipropionate cream for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis

Background Plaque psoriasis is a common, chronic, and relapsing inflammatory skin disease clinically characterized by erythema and scaling desquamation. As over 90% of psoriasis patients benefit from topical therapies, local treatments continue to play an eminent role in management strategies. One such topical treatment is the fixed dose combination of calcipotriol (CAL) and betamethasone dipropionate (BDP). Methods The data from two Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, investigator-blind, active, and vehicle-controlled trials enrolling patients with psoriasis were pooled and analysed. Investigational products included a CAL/BDP cream based on PAD™ Technology (PAD-cream) designed for high skin penetration and increased patient preference, an active control (marketed CAL/BDP topical suspension/gel, in the following abbreviated as CAL/BDP TS), and cream vehicle, which were applied once daily for 8 weeks. Superiority claims regarding efficacy, safety, and quality of life (QoL) were compared between CAL/BDP PAD-cream and CAL/BDP TS. Results Efficacy and safety of the novel CAL/BDP PAD-cream formulation for the topical treatment of psoriasis demonstrated superiority for all efficacy endpoints after 8 weeks of treatment. PGA treatment success for CAL/BDP PAD-cream (43.2%) was greater than CAL/BDP TS (31.9%) (p 1%, associated with the CAL/BDP PAD-cream. Conclusions The novel fixed dose combination CAL/BDP PAD-cream offers greater efficacy, superior patient QoL and equivalent favorable safety for the topical treatment of psoriasis, in comparison to the currently available topical suspension/gel. This manuscript relates to two Phase 3 studies, with the clinicaltrials.gov identifiers: NCT03308799 and NCT03802344.