title: Alitretinoin for the treatment of severe chronic hand eczema.
abstract: Chronic hand eczema is a common and often debilitating condition. Alitretinoin, a 9-cis-retinoic acid and pan-retinoic acid agonist, is a new and effective systemic treatment for chronic hand eczema, which provides another treatment option. A "clear" or "almost clear" response can be achieved in up to half of patients within a 24-week course of treatment. Even higher rates of remission can be obtained with a longer duration of treatment. Alitretinoin has a favorable overall profile of adverse effects; however, female patients who are at risk of becoming pregnant should follow a strict pregnancy-prevention program due to the teratogenic effects of this drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Anton B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Alexandroff
keywords: CTCL; dermatitis; toctino