Posttreatment maintenance of therapeutic effect with fixed-combination halobetasol propionate 0.01%/tazarotene 0.045% lotion for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis

Background: The topical corticosteroid halobetasol propionate (HP) and retinoid tazarotene (TAZ) are effective in psoriasis treatment. Fixed-combination HP 0.01%/TAZ 0.045% lotion has demonstrated efficacy and safety in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Objective: To investigate the maintenance of therapeutic effects after cessation of once-daily HP/TAZ treatment. Methods: In two phase 3 studies (NCT02462070; NCT02462122), adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis received HP/TAZ for 8 weeks. Data at week 12 were analyzed post hoc to evaluate posttreatment maintenance of treatment success (clear/almost clear skin), improvements in signs of psoriasis (erythema, plaque elevation, scaling), and reductions in affected body surface area (BSA). In a 52-week open-label study (NCT02462083), participants stopped HP/TAZ treatment after achievement of treatment success; data were analyzed post hoc to assess time to retreatment. Results: Across all studies, most participants who achieved treatment success maintained this effect for at least one month posttreatment. Treatment effects were similarly maintained for improvements in signs of psoriasis and reductions in BSA. Some participants continued to improve after cessation of treatment. Maintenance of treatment success and time to retreatment were greater for participants who achieved clear skin. Conclusion: HP/TAZ lotion provides therapeutic effects that persist after treatment cessation, supporting its use in long-term management of plaque psoriasis.