Oral 9-cis-retinoic acid versus 13-cis-retinoic acid in acne therapy.
BACKGROUND
9-cis-Retinoic acid (9-cis-RA) is as active as 13-cis-retinoic acid (13-cis-RA) in inhibiting the proliferation of cultured human sebocytes and in reducing the size of sebaceous glands of hamsters.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the anti-acne effect of 9-cis-RA compared to that of 13-cis-RA in a pilot study.


METHODS
Four young male patients with acne were treated in an open study consecutively with 9-cis-RA and 13-cis-RA given at similar doses.


RESULTS
No beneficial effects were observed with 9-cis-RA in any of the patients whereas all responded favorably to 13-cis-RA.


CONCLUSIONS
For the two retinoids tested, the anti-acne effect correlates with the sebosuppressive effect in humans.
Ott
F
F
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland.
Bollag
W
W
Geiger
J M
JM
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000077556:Alitretinoin; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006224:Cricetinae; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D015474:Isotretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012176:Retinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D012629:Sebum / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D012176:Retinoids; D000077556:Alitretinoin; D014212:Tretinoin; D015474:Isotretinoin