Doxycycline improved clinical outcome, reducing cathelicidin and protease activity in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 170 adults with papulopustular rosacea.

Participants were treated for 12 weeks with doxycycline 40 mg modified-release capsules or placebo. Investigators compared response with cathelicidin and protease activity in samples obtained by tape strip, and in skin biopsy specimens from a random subset. Among the results:

• Doxycycline significantly reduced inflammatory lesions and improved investigator global assessment scores vs placebo.

• Cathelicidin and protein levels decreased in those treated with doxycycline; the former correlated with treatment success, whereas the latter predicted response.

Citation: Di Nardo A, Holmes A, Muto Y, et al. Improved clinical outcome and biomarkers in adults with papulopustular rosacea treated with doxycycline modified-release capsules in a randomized trial. [Published online ahead of print March 5, 2016]. J Am Acad Dermatol. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2016.01.023.