Topical treatment with 13-cis-retinoic acid improves Darier's disease and induces the expression of a unique keratin pattern.
A patient with Darier's disease was treated topically with either 13-cis-retinoic acid 0.1%, all-trans-retinoic acid 0.05% or their cream base only. Both 13-cis-retinoic acid and all-trans-retinoic acid were effective. However, all-trans-retinoic acid had to be discontinued because of irritation. By contrast, 13-cis-retinoic acid was well tolerated and resulted in a complete remission. Both retinoids caused a marked change in the expression of cytokeratins. The most remarkable observation was the expression of cytokeratins 4, 13 and 19 at retinoid-treated areas. These cytokeratins are absent in adult normal or diseased epidermis and hence provide a cell-biological tool to substantiate a retinoid effect.
Steijlen
P M
PM
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Happle
R
R
van Muijen
G N
GN
van de Kerkhof
P C
PC
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D007644:Darier Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004643:Emollients; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004643:Emollients; D014212:Tretinoin; D007633:Keratins