Trifarotene: a new chapter in the treatment of acne. An overview of the data on efficacy and safety profile of a fourth-generation retinoid

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Abstract

Vulgar acne is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. The search for new highly effective and treatments with favorable safety profile remains relevant due to the high incidence in the population.

The launch of a 4th generation retinoid, trifarotene, which has a selective mechanism of action on RAR-γ (γ-retinoic acid receptors agonist), represents a new era in topical therapy of acne vulgaris and is of particular interest to practical healthcare.

A systematic literature overview in PubMed, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.Gov databases was conducted to evaluate the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety profile of the selective 4th generation retinoid, trifarotene 50 µg/g (0,005%) in dosage form topical cream.

In a systematic overview, 12 contemporary studies (2015–2023) were selected confirming the high efficacy of trifarotene in protocols for the treatment of acne vulgaris with localization on both facial and truncal skin. The drug demonstrates a unique ability to modulate cell adhesion, optimize transepidermal water loss and reduce the activity of membrane metalloendopeptidases, which determines its proven efficacy.

Trifarotene, an innovative 4th generation topical retinoid approved by the FDA in 2019 for the treatment of acne in patients over 9 years of age, opens new possibilities in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Its selective activity to RAR-γ receptors, proven efficacy and favorable safety profile make it a promising agent in therapeutic practice.

About the authors

Elena S. Snarskaya

The First Sechenov Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

Email: snarskaya-doc@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7968-7663
SPIN-code: 3785-7859

MD, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor

Russian Federation, Moscow

Olga Yu. Olisova

The First Sechenov Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

Email: olisovaolga@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2482-1754
SPIN-code: 2500-7989

MD, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor, Corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Russian Federation, Moscow

Anna V. Bratkovskaya

The First Sechenov Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

Author for correspondence.
Email: annabratk24@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7284-9113
SPIN-code: 6012-7555
Russian Federation, Moscow

Elena D. Karlovskaya

The First Sechenov Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

Email: karlovskaya.e@inbox.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0002-3445-7503
Russian Federation, Moscow

Yulia O. Ryabihina

The First Sechenov Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University)

Email: yuliaryabihina@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-4209-4939
Russian Federation, Moscow

References

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Supplementary files

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2. Fig. 1. Patient K., 19 years old, diagnosis of moderately severe vulgar acne with localisation on the back skin: a ― papulopustular multiple rashes on the back skin before treatment; b ― 60% regression of rashes after 3 weeks of treatment; с ― complete regression of rashes after 8 weeks of treatment.

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3. Fig. 2. Patient O., 17 years old, diagnosed with moderate acne vulgaris: a, b ― skin condition before treatment; c ― marked regression of inflammatory elements (by 50%) after 2 weeks of cream application; d−f ― complete regression of rashes after 7 weeks of treatment.

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4. Fig. 3. Patient K., 23 years old, diagnosed with moderately severe vulgar acne: a, b ― skin condition before treatment; c, d ― 75% regression of rashes after 6 weeks of treatment with the cream.

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