Long-Term Efficacy and Tolerability of Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% (Cab) Gel for Acne in Participants with Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes Iv-Vi: Pooled Results from Two 6-Month Studies
Recommended Citation
Draelos ZD, Baldwin H, Harper JC, Ghannoum M, Stein Gold L, Tanghetti EA, Kircik LH. Long-Term Efficacy and Tolerability of Clindamycin Phosphate 1.2%/Adapalene 0.15%/Benzoyl Peroxide 3.1% (Cab) Gel for Acne in Participants with Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes Iv-Vi: Pooled Results from Two 6-Month Studies. J Am Acad Dermatol 2026; 95(1):AB287.
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
7-1-2026
Publication Title
J Am Acad Dermatol
Keywords
Dermatology
Abstract
CAB gel—the only approved triple-combination acne topical—was efficacious/safe in 12-week clinical trials and in a 24-week study.1-4 Acne presentation and sequelae vary by skin type, requiring long-term management strategies to account for differences in skin pigmentation.5,6 This post hoc analysis assessed long-term CAB use in participants with darker Fitzpatrick skin phototypes IV-VI. Data were pooled from 2 identical, 24-week, single-center, open-label studies of once-daily CAB in 50 participants ≥ 12 years with moderate/severe acne (Investigator’s Global Assessment [IGA] score=3/4). Endpoints included changes from baseline in IGA score and inflammatory/noninflammatory lesions. Skin appearance (dryness, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation [PIH], postinflammatory erythema [PIE]), tolerability (itching, burning, redness, swelling), scarring, and adverse events were evaluated. Of 24 participants with Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI, 22 completed the studies. At week 24, 73% of participants achieved treatment success ( ≥ 2-grade reduction from baseline in IGA score and clear/almost clear skin), with reductions in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions of 90% and 66%, respectively. PIH, PIE, and scarring improved from baseline by 71%, 87%, and 32%, respectively. No participants reported tolerability issues at week 24 and all had skin dryness scores of 0 (none). One treatment-related adverse event (BPO allergy) occurred, leading to study discontinuation. In participants with darker skin phototypes, 6 months of once-daily CAB use led to 73% treatment success and inflammatory lesion reductions of 90%. These improvements are higher than those seen at week 12 in the pivotal trials and support the long-term use of CAB in patients with darker skin phototypes.
Volume
95
Issue
1
First Page
AB287
