The effect of isotretinoin in six patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
Oral retinoids are effective in the treatment of patients with a variety of malignant and nonmalignant skin disorders, including mycosis fungoides. We treated six patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphomas with isotretinoin 1 to 2 mg/kg/d. All patients experienced symptomatic relief (fading of skin lesions and disappearance of pruritus) within two to eight weeks of starting the drug therapy; pretreatment and posttreatment biopsy specimens were unchanged. Adverse effects were minor and primarily consisted of drying of the mucous membranes. We conclude that isotretinoin is a well-tolerated, easily administered drug that provides good palliation of symptoms and signs associated with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in patients who are unable or unwilling to comply with standard therapy.
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000139:chemically induced
D014212:Tretinoin; D015474:Isotretinoin