IN AN effort to improve psoriasis research, the VISIBLE clinical trial has made significant strides in diversity, enrolling participants with skin of color (SoC) at an accelerated rate. The trial, which focused on the efficacy of guselkumab for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, utilized novel strategies to recruit and retain a diverse patient population, ultimately exceeding enrollment expectations.
In total, 211 participants, predominantly from Hispanic, Black, Asian, and other ethnic groups, were enrolled in the study. Remarkably, all participants self-identified as a race or ethnicity other than White, with more than 50% having skin tones in the darker half of the Fitzpatrick scale (types IV-VI). The trial’s innovative strategies included colorimetry to assess skin tone, post-inflammatory pigment changes, and cultural competency training for site staff. These measures helped ensure consistent evaluation across all skin tones.
Visible’s unique approach not only addressed the underrepresentation of people with SoC in clinical trials but also improved the speed of enrollment by approximately seven times compared to historical psoriasis studies. The trial’s success underscores the importance of strategic, inclusive trial design to enhance participant engagement and retention.
The VISIBLE trial’s findings will provide essential data on psoriasis’s impact across different skin types, and inform future best practices in dermatology research, ultimately aiming to improve clinical care for a diverse patient population.
