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Calcipotriene/betamethasone dipropionate -- or CAL/BDP -- creams were effective in treating plaque psoriasis in patients with skin of color (SOC) -- a finding that could help improve adherence and outcomes.

That's according to the investigators in a post-hoc analysis of phase 3 clinical trial data published recently in the .

The study included 784 participants, 280 (35.7%) of whom had Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI, indicating brown or black skin. Patients in these groups who were treated with CAL/BDP creams had greater disease improvement, convenience scores, and overall satisfaction than those with skin types IV to VI and the total study population.

The study was conducted by a team of U.S.-based researchers led by Christina Kontzias, BA, an investigator with the Center for Dermatology Research at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina. The following study excerpts have been edited for length and clarity.

What was the impetus for this study?

Several topical formulations of CAL/BDP have been approved for treating psoriasis -- including a foam, topical suspension, and gel formulation. In July 2021, the FDA approved a cream formulation for plaque psoriasis in adults.

Once-daily CAL/BDP cream (0.005%/0.065%) has been shown to be more effective, have a faster onset of action, have greater itch reduction, and have a greater treatment convenience score than the CAL/BDP topical solution or placebo.

However, the efficacy and safety of this medication for psoriasis in patients with skin of color (SOC) is not well characterized. The current review analyzed the efficacy and safety of CAL/BDP cream in the treatment of plaque psoriasis in this population.

What were the key findings?

This analysis supports the efficacy, convenience, and safety of CAL/BDP cream in this setting.

In a subgroup analysis of patients with SOC, CAL/BDP cream was more effective than CAL/BDP topical solution, mirroring the results in the total study population.

Were there any notable findings on adverse events?

Adverse event rates were similar between the subgroup with skin types IV to VI and the total study population for all treatment arms.

The most common adverse events in the CAL/BDP cream group were upper respiratory tract infection (7%), headache (2%), and application site pain (1%) vs 5%, 0%, and 0%, respectively, in the vehicle cream group.

What are the implications for dermatologists?

Real-world adherence to topical psoriasis treatments is poor and affected by inconvenience, complex treatment plans, and vehicle and formula preferences. CAL/BDP cream had greater convenience scores, formula acceptability, and overall satisfaction in the subgroup with SOC and the total study population, which may improve adherence to therapy and treatment outcomes.

Key points

• CAL/BDP creams were deemed effective in people with SOC who have plaque psoriasis.
• CAL/BDP cream had greater convenience scores, potentially helping improve adherence.
• There were no major adverse events in any portion of the study population.