Randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, multicentre, phase III clinical trial with two stages to assess the safety and efficacy of letibotulinum toxin a vs. onabotulinum toxin a for subjects with moderate to severe crow's feet

Consensus Recommendations for Treatment of the Upper Face With LetibotulinumtoxinA

One of the authors (K-H. Y.) convened a panel of seven aesthetic experts from South Korea and Australia to create guidelines for treating facial lines of the upper face with letibotulinumtoxinA. The panel members provided recommendations for injection sites, dosage, and injection techniques for using letibotulinumtoxinA and also considered relevant anatomy, patient assessment and selection, and individual variations to evaluate clinical strategies for minimizing complications. The panelists provided recommendations for treating forehead horizontal lines, glabellar frown lines, and lateral canthal lines. The guidelines developed by the panel will support clinical practitioners of all skill levels in providing safe and effective aesthetic treatments of the forehead, glabellar complex, and lateral canthal lines with letibotulinumtoxinA.

Neuromodulators in Skin of Color: An International Review

BACKGROUND

As the racial/ethnic diversity of the US population grows, it is imperative for dermatologists to recognize the nuances in the aesthetic treatment of diverse populations.

OBJECTIVE

This comprehensive review explores the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in skin of color (SOC) populations and highlights variations in aging patterns, skin properties, and aesthetic concerns in SOC populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A review of PubMed/MEDLINE databases from 2004 to 2024 was performed using combinations of the terms botulinum toxin, SOC, Fitzpatrick, race/ethnicity, and Asian, Latin American, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, African, and Pacific countries.

RESULTS

Twenty-three articles examining the use of BTX-A in SOC populations were identified. Twelve studies were from East Asia, 5 from the United States and/or Canada, 3 from South Asia/Southeast Asia, 2 from South America, and 1 from the Middle East. Available data suggest that BTX-A is efficacious and well tolerated in SOC populations.

CONCLUSION

Increased SOC representation in clinical trials may guide the development of tailored treatment approaches to optimize aesthetic outcomes for patients with SOC. A comprehensive knowledge of the variations in aging patterns, skin properties, and aesthetic concerns across SOC populations is essential for providing culturally sensitive cosmetic dermatologic care for diverse populations.

Comparative Study on the Duration and Efficacy of Various Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections for Reducing Masseteric Muscle Bite Force and Treating Facial Wrinkles

OBJECTIVE

Botulinum toxin serotype A (BoNT/A) is widely used for minimal invasive aesthetic treatments. Different brands of BoNT/A exhibit structural variations. The aim of this study was to compare the duration and efficacy of various BoNT/A brands available in Thailand for reducing bite force and treating wrinkles.

METHODS

Fifty participants were randomly assigned to one of five groups, with each group receiving a different BoNT/A brand, namely, incobotulinumtoxinA (IncoA), onabotulinumtoxinA (OnaA), abobotulinumtoxinA (AboA), letibotulinumtoxinA (LetiA), and prabotulinumtoxinA (PraboA). BoNT/A was administered to the masseter muscle and the upper face. Bite force was measured before injection and at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks post-injection. Evaluation scores for wrinkle improvement were assessed after the treatment.

RESULTS

The most significant reduction in bite force occurred between 2 and 4 weeks post-injection. PraboA demonstrated the most substantial reduction in bite force, while IncoA had the least effect. However, the percentage of bite force reduction did not exhibit statistical significance between BoNT/A types. Additionally, the reduction in bite force for all BoNT/A types was reversed at 4 months post-injection. More than half of the participants experienced improvement beyond 16 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

The structural differences among BoNT/A brands did not significantly affect the longevity and efficacy of bite force reduction and wrinkle treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: TCTR20211205001 (registered 4 Dec 2021).

Use of LetibotulinumtoxinA for Aesthetic Treatment of Asians: A Consensus

Treatment of wrinkles and dynamic lines with botulinum toxin has been a routine practice for years in aesthetic clinical settings. The effective treatment of wrinkles requires a comprehensive understanding of facial expression muscles and their interactions, the mechanism of action of botulinum toxin, and individual patient preferences. The dose adjustment practice and injection technique of physicians are affected by cultural differences; most Asian patients prefer natural-looking results. This article aims to present an expert consensus on the injection sites, doses, and levels of botulinum toxin for various indications in Asians, with the hope of providing guidance to some clinicians. This consensus paper reviews LetibotulinumtoxinA for patient evaluation, dosage, and delivery techniques in Asians from the time LetibotulinumtoxinA was approved up to December 2022. Panelists proposed individualized treatment plans for botulinum toxin type A (BTxA) treatments in 3 areas-wrinkle removal, contour adjustment, and face lifting-for Asians based on their extensive experience and knowledge of facial anatomy. When using a different BTxA, clinicians should start with a conservative dose and carefully individualize the treatment for each patient, and adjust it according to feedback to obtain a higher satisfaction level.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5

Developing Consensus-Based Guidelines for Case Reporting in Aesthetic Medicine: Enhancing Transparency and Standardization

Clinical case reporting plays a vital role in sharing detailed patient narratives, providing insights into rare conditions, innovative treatments, and unexpected outcomes. However, existing reporting guidelines in aesthetic medicine fail to capture the specific nuances of procedures and outcomes in this field. The authors' objectives were to develop comprehensive guidelines for Case REporting in Aesthetic Medicine (CREAM). The study employed a 3-phase consensus process, including a literature review, expert interviews, and a consensus meeting. A diverse group of 10 expert participants (plastic surgeons, dermatologists, noncore specialists, evidence-based medicine expert, and research scientist) in Phase I and 30 experienced aesthetic practitioners in Phase II contributed to the research. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess agreement levels among participants and explore associations and variations within the data. The participants represented various specialties, genders, LGBTQ+ identities, and ethnic backgrounds. The research resulted in the development of the CREAM guidelines, consisting of a 16-item checklist. The guidelines covered essential aspects of case reporting, such as patient and practice information, procedure details, clinical assessment and outcomes, adverse events, and ethical considerations. Statistical analysis indicated a high level of consensus among participants, as well as significant associations between checklist items. CREAM guidelines represent a step toward enhancing transparency and standardization in case reporting in aesthetic medicine. Adhering to these guidelines will allow authors to contribute to a robust evidence base, prioritize patient safety, and drive advancements aesthetic medicine.

Efficacy and Safety of Letibotulinumtoxin A in the Treatment of Glabellar Lines: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study

BACKGROUND

Letibotulinumtoxin A (Hugel, Inc., Chuncheon, Republic of Korea and CROMA Pharma, Leobendorf, Austria) is a newly manufactured neurotoxin derived from Clostridium botulinum strain CBFC26.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of letibotulinumtoxin A in reducing glabellar line severity (GLS) and to evaluate long-term safety and efficacy following repeated injections.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled Phase III clinical trial, 355 subjects with moderate to severe glabella frown lines received injections of 20 U of letibotulinumtoxin A or placebo. GLS, onset and duration of effect, time to retreatment, and adverse events were evaluated. Response to treatment was defined as a GLS score of 0 or 1 (assessed by the subject and the investigator) and an improvement at Week 4 of ≥2 points in GLS score relative to baseline.

RESULTS

At 4 weeks, 78.6% of the active treatment subjects were responders based on the investigator's assessment and 68.8% based on the subject's assessment, resulting in a composite responder rate of 64.7% for the active treatment group, whereas the corresponding rate was 0.0% in the placebo group (P < 0.001). Subjects noted a substantial improvement in GL severity as early as Day 2, with the median time to onset of effect being 3 days. The mean [standard deviation] time until first retreatment for the letibotulinumtoxin A group was 127.26 [65.6] days. Letibotulinumtoxin A was well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

Letibotulinumtoxin A demonstrates high efficacy and a convincing safety profile in the treatment of glabellar lines.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2