Effect of calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate topical suspension on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and calcium homeostasis in subjects with extensive psoriasis vulgaris: an open, non-controlled, 8-week trial.

BACKGROUND

The two-compound topical suspension/gel containing calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate is effective and safe in the treatment of psoriasis on the body and scalp within the general psoriasis patient population.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the systemic effects of once-daily use of two-compound topical suspension/gel on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and calcium homeostasis in subjects with extensive psoriasis vulgaris.

METHODS

An open-label, single-group, 8-week trial in 43 subjects with extensive psoriasis covering 15-30% of the body surface area. Blood and 24-hour urine samples were collected and a standard-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test was performed at baseline, weeks 4 and 8. Primary endpoints were serum cortisol 30 minutes after ACTH injection (HPA axis response abnormal at serum cortisol ≤18 μg/dL) and changes from baseline in albumin-corrected serum calcium (sCa), 24-hour urinary calcium excretion (24hCa) and urine calcium:creatinine ratio (Ca:Crea).

RESULTS

Two (4.7%) subjects showed signs of adrenal suppression based on the ACTH stimulation test results at week 4; both were withdrawn from treatment and had normal serum cortisol 30-minute values at follow-up 4 weeks later. None of the subjects who continued treatment to week 8 showed signs of adrenal suppression. There were no clinically relevant mean changes from baseline to weeks 4 and 8 in sCa, 24hCa or Ca:Crea and no subject had sCa above the reference range.

CONCLUSION

The two-compound topical suspension/gel containing calcipotriene plus betamethasone dipropionate may be applied once daily to extensive psoriasis vulgaris without generally causing adrenal suppression or disturbance of calcium homeostasis, consistent with previous findings. In a small number of patients with extensive psoriasis treated with large volumes of topical suspension, adrenal suppression may be observed. In the real-world setting, it is anticipated that systemic side-effects would occur in only a few cases within the general psoriasis patient population. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: