Treatment with the novel bioactive lipid cream DS101 was associated with decreased rosacea severity by more than half (57%; p<0.001) as measured by investigator's global assessment (IGA), according to results from a single-center, open-label trial. These data are being presented at the 2022 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting.

“DS101’s active ingredients are anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and photo-protective against ultraviolet radiation,” wrote lead author Moayed Hamza, MBBcH, DS Biopharma, Dublin, Ireland, and co-authors. The experimental substance contains a combination of the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid and the omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid.

In the study, researchers evaluated the progress of 20 adults with mild-to-moderate rosacea and sensitive skin who applied DS101 cream twice-daily on their entire face for 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints were clinician erythema assessment, investigator- and subject-reported assessments of efficacy and tolerability, corneometer assessment of skin hydration, and trans-epidermal water loss.

The difference in the primary endpoint of improvement in rosacea severity, was already apparent at week 4 (37%; p=0.001). DS101 was also associated with significantly decreased erythema (-41%; p=0.007), as well as significantly increased skin water content (34%; p<0.001) both at week 12. There were also improvements in IGA of redness (-62%), dryness (-86%), evenness of tone (+43%), visual smoothness (+56%), tactile softness (+72%), clarity (+42%), radiance (+55%), and overall skin appearance (+42%).

Improvements were also recorded for all subject-reported efficacy assessments. No adverse events were reported.

Reference
Hamza M, Draelos Z, Lafferty A, et al. Effects of DS101 cream on mild-to-moderate rosacea: results from an open-label study. Poster presented at: AAD Annual Meeting. March 25-29, 2022; Boston, MA.