Clinical Profile of Halobetasol Propionate 0.01%/ Tazarotene 0.045% Lotion in Patients With Hyperkeratotic Plaque Psoriasis.

BACKGROUND

Hyperkeratotic psoriatic plaques, characterized by considerable elevation and scaling, present treatment challenges with topical therapy. This post hoc analysis of two phase 3 trials evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of fixed-combination halobetasol propionate (0.01%) and tazarotene (0.045%) lotion (HP/TAZ; indicated for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults) in treating hyperkeratotic plaques.

METHODS

Participants received HP/TAZ or vehicle daily for 8 weeks, with a 4-week posttreatment follow-up. Multiple subpopulations represented patients with hyperkeratotic plaques. Analysis 1 included a subgroup with severe plaque elevation and a second subgroup with severe scaling. Analysis 2 included a subgroup with either an investigator's global assessment (IGA) of 3 with moderate-to-severe plaque elevation or an IGA of 4. Endpoints included plaque elevation and/or scaling success (greater than or equal to 2-grade improvement for either) and safety assessments.

RESULTS

At week 8, the severe plaque elevation subgroup and severe scaling subgroup achieved plaque elevation and scaling success, respectively, at significantly greater rates with HP/TAZ versus vehicle (P<0.05 for all; Analysis 1). Analysis 2 participants achieved significantly greater rates of plaque elevation and scaling success with HP/TAZ versus vehicle at week 8 (P less than or equal to 0.001 for all). Tolerability improved from baseline by >46% for all subgroups. Adverse events were similar between treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

HP/TAZ was efficacious and well tolerated for treating hyperkeratotic plaques.

CITATION: Tanghetti E, Stein Gold L, Lain E, Jacobson A. Clinical profile of halobetasol propionate 0.01%/tazarotene 0.045% lotion in patients with hyperkeratotic plaque psoriasis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(6):590-598. doi:10.36849/JDD.8720R1.