KP-103, a novel triazole derivative, is effective in preventing relapse and successfully treating experimental interdigital tinea pedis and tinea corporis in guinea pigs.

The therapeutic efficacy of KP-103, a triazole derivative, for 10 guinea pigs with interdigital tinea pedis or tinea corporis was investigated. Topical KP-103 solution (0.25 to 1%) was dose-dependently effective in treating both dermatophytoses. A 1% KP-103-treatment rendered all infected skins culture-negative on day-2 posttreatment. A high negative-culture rate was obtained with 1% solutions of butenafine and lanoconazole but not with 1% neticonazole solution. The follow up study performed on day-30 and day-9 posttreatment demonstrated that the relapse rates for 1% KP-103-treated animals with tinea pedis and for those with tinea corporis were 20 and 30%, respectively, and that these values were the same as those for 1% butenafine-treated animals, but lower than those for 1% lanoconazole-treated animals (55 and 80%, respectively). When a single dose of 1% KP-103 was applied to the back skin 48 hr before fungal inoculation, 9 of the 10 animals were protected from the dermatophytosis, suggesting that active KP-103 is retained in skin tissue for at least 48 hr after dosing. Moreover, it was suggested that KP-103 retains a high activity in the horny layer because of its lower keratin-affinity. The effectiveness of KP-103 against dermatophytoses may be due to the favorable pharmacokinetic properties in the skin tissues, together with its potent antifungal activity.