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PubMed · 11460037

[Acitretine].

Abstract

Acitretin (Soriatane(R)) is an aromatic retinoïd (carboxylic acid metabolite of etretinate). Acitretin has a terminal elimination half-life of about 55 to 60 hours. However, concomitant intake of alcohol induces transformation to etretinate (lipophilic ester) which has a longer terminal elimination half life (84 to 168 days). Due to the teratogenic effect of acitretin, contraception should be used during therapy and 2 years afterwards. Acitretin monotherapy is effective in pustular psoriasis and psoriatic palmo-plantar keratoderma. In the other forms of psoriasis, combination with phototherapy (PUVA, UVB) or topical therapy is necessary (calcipotriol, corticosteroids). Acitretin is effective in cutaneous disorders of keratinization (ichtyosis, palmo-plantar keratoderma, Darier's disease). Severe cutaneous forms of lichen planus were recently recognized as indications of acitretin treatment; 35 to 40 mg daily is the mean effective dosage in adults (0.5 mg/kg/j in children). Acitretin was shown effective in preventing the development of new skin carcinomas in predisposed patients (Xeroderma pigmentosum, immunosupression). Acitretin is a potent teratogen. Mucocutaneous side effects are varied (cheilitis, dry mucosae, xerosis, palmo-plantar peeling, hair loss.), dose-dependent and reversible. Biological side-effects consist principally in elevations of transaminases (5 to 8% of patients). Acute hepatotoxic reactions are rare. Hyperlipidemia is another side-effect commonly observed. Bony changes (ligament calcifications, osteoporosis) have been reported with various incidence. In children, growth and development have to be monitored. Combination of acitretin with potentially hepatotoxic molecules (methotrexate) is contraindicated, as is combination with cyclines (risk of intracranial hypertension).

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P Berbis. [Acitretine].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11460037/

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Acitretin↗

Retinoids strongly and selectively correlate with keratin 13 and not keratin 19 expression in cutaneous warts of renal transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the expression of keratin (K) 13 and K19 in cutaneous warts of renal transplant recipients (RTRs) and immunocompetent individuals (ICIs). DESIGN: Retrospective, nonrandomized immunohistochemical study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Specimens from cutaneous warts of RTRs and ICIs were retrieved from the archives of the Department of Pathology, University Medical Center St Radboud, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Twenty-one warts from RTRs and 21 from ICIs were examined. Nine RTRs (10 specimens) received either systemic acitretin or topical all-trans retinoic acid, and their effect on both keratins was assessed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency and expression patterns of K13 and K19 in warts of RTRs vs ICIs and the effect of retinoids. RESULTS: A significantly higher percentage of warts of RTRs expressed K13 compared with warts of ICIs (86% vs 14%, 18 vs 3 cases, respectively; P<.001). In warts of RTRs, retinoid treatment correlated significantly with a particularly strong, segmental K13 expression pattern, which we termed zebroid. Without use of retinoids, K13 was mostly restricted to suprabasal single cells. Keratin 19 was absent in all warts of both patient groups. CONCLUSIONS: Retinoids strongly correlate with K13 in a characteristic zebroid pattern in warts of RTRs, making K13 a sensitive marker for retinoid bioactivity in skin (lesions) of RTRs. In non-retinoid-treated RTRs, K13 is also frequently found in warts but without the dramatic zebroid pattern noted in retinoid-treated warts.

Acitretin↗