Tirbanibulin: A New Topical Therapy for Actinic Keratoses With a Novel Mechanism of Action and Improved Ease of Use

Anti-aging Effects of Tirbanibulin 1% Ointment: A Real-Life Experience

INTRODUCTION

Tirbanibulin 1% ointment has been licensed to treat non-hyperkeratotic actinic keratosis (AKs) on the face and scalp in adults to ensure excellent patient tolerability due to the mild side effects and the brief application time compared to other topical therapies on the market. A growing body of evidence suggests that, beyond their primary function, the treatments for AKs and the cancerization field may inadvertently confer substantial cosmetic benefits to patients.

METHODS

We report a single-center retrospective case series of patients referred to the Dermatology Unit of the University Hospital of Messina, Italy, between February and December 2023 seeking treatment for AKs in the context of photodamaged areas in which the application of tirbanibulin 1% ointment induced, besides clearance of AKs, anti-aging effects on both skin texture and solar lentigos.

RESULTS

Seven patients affected by Olsen grade 1-2 AKs experienced a powerful rejuvenating effect in the treated areas, with a marked efficacy in skin lightening and clearance of solar lentigo.

CONCLUSIONS

Tirbanibulin 1% ointment seems able to improve skin aging as a desirable side effect at the site of application for AKs on chronic photodamaged skin. Such preliminary observation needs further confirmation in real-life studies on larger cohorts of patients, to explain the pathogenic mechanisms responsible for such aesthetically relevant results.

Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of a Single 5-Day Treatment of Tirbanibulin Ointment 1% in 100 cm2 : A Phase 1 Maximal-Use Trial in Patients with Actinic Keratosis

Tirbanibulin ointment 1% is approved in the United States and Europe for the treatment of actinic keratosis with demonstrated efficacy, safety, and tolerability when applied over a field up to 25 cm2 . This Phase 1 maximal-use trial determines the plasma pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of tirbanibulin ointment 1% applied to 100 cm2 of the face or balding scalp in adults with actinic keratosis. Twenty-eight patients self-applied tirbanibulin once daily for a single 5-day treatment course. On Day 5, the mean maximum plasma concentration was 1.06 ng/mL and area under the plasma concentration-time curve during a dosing interval was 16.2 ng • h/mL. Systemic exposure was approximately 4-fold higher than in a previous pharmacokinetic study with a 25 cm2 field, consistent with the increase in the treated area. Tirbanibulin applied to a 100-cm2 treatment field showed favorable safety and tolerability. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were application site reactions (in 35.7% of patients). All treatment-emergent adverse events and most of the tolerability signs were mild/moderate and resolved or returned to baseline by Day 29. In summary, under maximal-use conditions, tirbanibulin ointment 1% was safe and well tolerated supporting its potential use over a field up to 100 cm2 .