ADA-308 for acne

Did you know that acne is the eighth most common disease worldwide,
affecting 10% of the global population?

What is acne?
Acne is a multifactorial disease in which androgen-driven excess sebum production is one of the contributing factors. Acne is a skin condition that affects the pilosebaceous units and appears when pores become clogged, inflamed, and swollen. Whiteheads, blackheads (comedones), and pimples (papules or pustules) are typical acne symptoms. Although acne primarily affects the skin on the face, some patients also experience symptoms on their neck and upper body. If left untreated, severe acne may result in permanent skin damage and scarring. Acne can significantly diminish a patient's quality of life and sense of self-esteem, as well as cause depression and social withdrawal. 
Treatment options
The pathogenesis of acne involves four main pathways, all of which are targets of medical intervention (see image below). Androgen-driven excess sebum production can be counteracted by antiandrogens. Vitamin A derivatives, retinoids normalize skin shedding and thus inhibit obstruction of pores. Antibiotics and antiseptics, like benzoyl peroxide, kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.
                                                                                                           Created with BioRender.com
The four main pathways in the pathogenesis of acne and their medical interventions.

Antiandrogens in acne treatment: Systemic vs locally acting antiandrogens
Hormonal therapies are an under-represented treatment option for acne due to the antiandrogenic side effects of oral antiandrogens, which restrict their use to female patients. The therapeutic effect of antiandrogens is non-debatable, which is underlined by the use of combined oral contraceptive pills in the treatment of acne and the off-label use of oral anti-androgens. Topical antiandrogens will be a much-needed novel treatment option for acne.