The impact of current investigational drugs for acne on future treatment strategies

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Acne vulgaris is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide with a considerably high cost and a burden on quality of life. There are currently many topical and systemic therapies for acne; however, many are limited by their local adverse event profile. This review provides an update on current, novel Phase I and II trials for acne vulgaris.

Areas covered

This review searched the National Institutes of Health US National Library of Medicine online database of clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov) for ongoing Phase I and II trials. Only papers discussing novel therapies were discussed, and combinations of previously FDA-approved drugs were excluded.

Expert opinion

The current investigational approaches to acne treatment reflect an attempt to mitigate the underlying cause of acne pathogenesis. By targeting key mechanisms involved, studies aim to show long-term improvement with less frequent treatment use. This provides potential for more tolerable treatments with better patient adherence, in turn leading to increased efficacy.

KEYWORDS:

• Acne vulgaris
• treatments
• clinical trials
• adherence
• androgens
• acne vaccine
• biologics

Article highlights

• The future of acne vulgaris treatments is promising with more approaches aimed at mitigating the root cause of the disease.

• A novel gel that targets androgen receptor proteolysis is being investigated for reducing serum production and having low adverse effects.

• A vaccine against virulence factors of P. acnes is a groundbreaking advancement to potentially even preventing the disease.

• A new product made as a powder from a freshwater sponge is being tested for its antimicrobial properties and has convenient once weekly usage.

• The current investigational approaches to acne treatment reflect an attempt to mitigate the underlying cause of acne pathogenesis. By targeting key mechanisms involved, studies aim to show long-term improvement with less frequent treatment use. This provides potential for more tolerable treatments with better patient adherence, in turn leading to increased efficacy.

Declaration of interests

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants, or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.