title: The combination of 2% 4-hydroxyanisole (mequinol) and 0.01% tretinoin effectively improves the appearance of solar lentigines in ethnic groups.
abstract: While the efficacy and safety of topical 4-hydroxyanisole (mequinol) 2%/tretinoin 0.01% therapy has been established in Caucasian populations, those with skin types I-II, little research has focused on individuals with darker skin types. The purpose of this open-label study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of mequinol 2%/tretinoin 0.01% solution in the treatment of solar lentigines in Asian, Latin/Hispanic, and African American ethnic groups with skin types II-V. Subjects were required to have >or= 10 solar lentigines on the dorsal forearms/hands and >or= 3 on the face. One lesion was designated the target lesion, however, all lesions were treated. Patients were treated with topical mequinol 2%/tretinoin 0.01% and clinically evaluated at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks as well as 4 weeks following treatment cessation. At each visit, lesions were evaluated using Target and Overall Lesion Pigmentation Index scores ranging from 0 (lightest) to 8 (darkest), where 4 indicated equal pigment with surrounding skin. Efficacy was determined based on pigmentation index scores, and safety was assessed using laboratory monitoring and adverse event (AE) reporting. Over 80% of the 259 subjects completing this study responded to mequinol 2%/tretinoin 0.01% therapy, with a majority of subjects maintaining clinical benefit at 4 weeks post-treatment. Most AEs reported were tolerable and overall mequinol 2%/tretinoin 0.01% therapy had a favorable benefit-to-risk ratio. This study therefore supports the theory that topical mequinol 2%/tretinoin 0.01% is an effective and safe treatment of solar lentigines in ethnic populations, and in those with dark skin types.
authors.affiliation: zdraelos@northstate.net
authors.forename: Zoe Diana
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Draelos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000840:Anisoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005006:Ethnicity; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007911:Lentigo / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000840:Anisoles; D000975:Antioxidants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D014212:Tretinoin; C009760:mequinol