title: Cortexolone 17α-propionate 1% cream, a new potent antiandrogen for topical treatment of acne vulgaris. A pilot randomized, double-blind comparative study vs. placebo and tretinoin 0·05% cream.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acne vulgaris is a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit in which the androgens contribute to its onset and persistence. The use of antiandrogens is therefore potentially effective; however, antiandrogens for topical use are not available on the market. Cortexolone 17α-propionate (CB-03-01; Cosmo S.p.A, Lainate, Italy) is a new potent topical antiandrogen potentially useful in acne vulgaris.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and the topical efficacy of CB-03-01 1% cream in acne vulgaris as compared with placebo and with tretinoin 0·05% cream (Retin-A® ; Janssen-Cilag).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-seven men with facial acne scored 2-3 according to Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) were randomized to receive placebo cream (n = 15), or CB-03-01 1% cream (n = 30), or tretinoin 0·05% cream (n = 32) once a day at bedtime for 8 weeks. Clinical efficacy was evaluated every 2 weeks including total lesion count (TLC), inflammatory lesion count (ILC), acne severity index (ASI) and IGA. Safety assessment included local irritancy score, laboratory tests, physical examination, vital signs and recording of adverse events.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CB-03-01 1% cream was very well tolerated, and was significantly better than placebo regarding TLC (P = 0·0017), ILC (P = 0·0134) and ASI (P = 0·0090), and also clinically more effective than comparator. The product also induced a faster attainment of 50% improvement in all the above parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study supports the rationale for the use of topical antiandrogens in the treatment of acne vulgaris. CB-03-01 1% cream seems to fit with the profile of an ideal antiandrogen for topical use.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Dermatology, Central Emergency Clinical Military Hospital Dr Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Trifu
authors.forename: G-S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Tiplica
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Naumescu
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zalupca
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Celasco
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003350:Cortodoxone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011422:Propionates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004643:Emollients; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D011422:Propionates; D014212:Tretinoin; D003350:Cortodoxone; C496269:Clascoterone