acitretin / Generic mfg. - LARVOL DELTA

Double Trouble… or Double Triumph? Dual Biologic Therapy in Refractory Hidradenitis Suppurativa (AAD 2026) - "Adalimumab, secukinumab, and bimekizumab are currently FDA-approved for moderate-to-severe HS, with adalimumab demonstrating response rates of 42–59%...He had minimal response to doxycycline, benzoyl peroxide wash, and clindamycin, and subsequently failed adalimumab, secukinumab, acitretin, dapsone, cefadroxil, prednisone, laser hair removal, and topical agents over two years. Given inadequate disease control, infliximab was added to ongoing secukinumab... Dual biologic therapy may represent a promising option for patients with severe, refractory HS unresponsive to monotherapy with currently available systemic treatments, including FDA-approved biologics used individually. Larger studies are needed to clarify long-term efficacy and safety."

Acne Vulgaris • Aesthetic Medicine • Conjunctivitis • Dermatology • Dry Eye Disease • Hidradenitis Suppurativa • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Ocular Infections • Ocular Inflammation • Ophthalmology

Comparison of Systemic and Topical Retinoids and the Association of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Ichthyosis Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study (AAD 2026) - "Patients with acquired ichthyosis, congenital ichthyosis , or ichthyosis vulgaris treated with systemic retinoids such as alitretinoin, isotretinoin, etretinate, and acitretin (n=449) were identified using validated ICD-10 codes. A comparator cohort treated with topical retinoids such as adapalene, tazarotene, bexarotene, alitretinoin, and tretinoin (n=449) was established... These findings indicate that the protective association is specific to systemic retinoid therapy and highlights the importance of treatment selection in patients with ichthyosis who have comorbid or potential IBD. Future studies should further explore the role of systemic retinoids as potential disease-modifying agents for IBD and other inflammatory conditions in ichthyosis patients."

Clinical • Atopic Dermatitis • Crohn's disease • Dermatology • Gastroenterology • Gastrointestinal Disorder • Immunology • Inflammation • Inflammatory Bowel Disease • Ulcerative Colitis • Vitiligo

A Comparison of the Protective effects of Systemic vs Oral Retinoids on Non Melanoma Skin Cancers in Acne Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study (AAD 2026) - "Two matched cohorts were created: systemic retinoids (alitretinoin, isotretinoin, etretinate, acitretin; n=34,851) and topical retinoids (adapalene, tazarotene, bexarotene, tretinoin; n=34,851). Patients with known NMSC risk factors (chemical exposures, HPV, or use of BRAF inhibitors, cyclosporine, voriconazole, hydrochlorothiazide) were excluded... The enhanced protective effect of systemic retinoids may reflect their deeper influence on keratinocyte turnover and skin cell regeneration compared to topical formulations. Further studies are warranted to clarify the relative efficacy of individual agents and optimize retinoid prophylaxis in high-risk patients."

Retrospective data • Acne Vulgaris • Basal Cell Carcinoma • Genetic Disorders • Kaposi Sarcoma • Non-melanoma Skin Cancer • Sarcoma • Skin Cancer • Solid Tumor • Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Nicotinamide Exposure for Melanoma Prevention (AAD 2026) - "Exposed and unexposed patients were propensity-score matched based on age, sex, race, age at first skin cancer, number of prior skin cancers of any type, year(s) of prior skin cancers of any type, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, solid organ transplantation, exposure to acitretin, and field therapy... We identified 11,064 VA patients with prior skin cancer who received nicotinamide 500mg twice daily for more than 30 days and matched them to 19,677 unexposed patients. The cohort was predominantly white and male, with comparable mean ages (77.5 years exposed vs 77.1 unexposed). Nicotinamide was associated with a 25% reduction in melanoma incidence overall."

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia • Genetic Disorders • Hematological Malignancies • Leukemia • Melanoma • Non-melanoma Skin Cancer • Skin Cancer • Solid Organ Transplantation • Solid Tumor

Impact of Biologic and Oral Therapies on Systemic Inflammation in Psoriasis Measured by the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (AAD 2026) - "This retrospective cohort analysis included 1,268 patients initiating biologics (TNF-α, IL-17, IL-23, IL-12/23 inhibitors) and 2,283 initiating traditional oral therapies (methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin). In direct comparisons, biologics provided an additional 15% reduction relative to oral therapies, evident at 0.5 years (OR 0.85, CI 0.77–0.94, p=0.0016) and sustained through 5 years (OR 0.85, CI 0.77–0.93, p=0.0006). Overall, biologics and oral agents significantly reduced SII, underscoring its value as a marker of systemic inflammation in psoriasis."

Cardiovascular • Dermatology • Diabetes • Dyslipidemia • Genetic Disorders • Immunology • Inflammation • Metabolic Disorders • Obesity • Psoriasis • IL12A • IL17A • IL23A • TNFA

Synchronous teledermatology for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis in Pescadores Islands: Bridging health divides and geographical disparities (AAD 2026) - "Systemic treatments were common: cyclosporine in 31 patients, methotrexate in 14, acitretin in 3, and phototherapy in 23. Five patients (≈11%) initiated biologics, equating to 4.6 users per 100,000 in Penghu compared with 8–9 per 100,000 nationally. Conclusion Synchronous teledermatology expanded access and sustained care for psoriasis patients in the Pescadores Islands, representing a significant advance in reducing inequities and bridging health divides by delivering specialized care to remote communities."

Clinical • Dermatology • Immunology • Psoriasis

Diagnostic Challenges and Therapeutic Insights in POGLUT1-Associated Dowling-Degos disease: The Role of Genetic Analysis and Naltrexone in Managing Pruritus (AAD 2026) - "Conventional therapies, including topical retinoids and systemic acitretin, were ineffective. One patient experienced partial improvement in pruritus and reduction in new papules with naltrexone. These cases highlight the diagnostic challenges posed by phenotypic and histopathological variability in DDD, underscore the importance of genetic analysis for accurate classification, and suggest a potential role for naltrexone in symptomatic management of pruritus in POGLUT1-associated DDD."

Dermatology • Pruritus • KRT5 • SLC2A1

Association of erlotinib and acitretin for the treatment of Olmsted syndrome with erythromelalgia in a pediatric patient. (PubMed, An Bras Dermatol) - No abstract available

Journal • Pediatrics

Knufia epidermidis Infection: A Case Report and Literature Review. (PubMed, Am J Trop Med Hyg) - "epidermidis) infection and successfully treated with itraconazole at a dosage of 200 mg/day and acitretin at a dosage of 20 mg/day for 2 weeks. It is worth noting that K. epidermidis is a pathogen that can cause cutaneous infections. Doctors should be aware of this disease to avoid misdiagnosis."

Journal • Infectious Disease

Positive net antiviral benefit of bexarotene against patient-derived archetype and rearranged BK polyomavirus isolates. (PubMed, Antiviral Res) - "They had a stronger antiviral activity than acitretin, which was more strain-specific and tazarotenic acid showing only modest effects...The CDK inhibitors Ro-3306 and roscovitine exhibited limited or no positive NAB, respectively. Notably, although the mTOR inhibitor sirolimus appeared to have additive antiviral effects when applied together with bexarotene, it displayed a negative NAB, rather attributing its activity to changes on cell growth/viability. In summary, bexarotene represents a promising therapeutic repurposing candidate for BKPyV reactivation in transplant patients, suggesting clinically achievable therapeutic efficacy. Clinical validation is warranted to translate these findings into therapeutic solutions for transplant recipients."

Journal • Nephrology • Renal Disease • Transplantation

Systemic retinoids for squamous cell carcinoma prevention in renal transplant recipients. (PubMed, J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol) - No abstract available

Journal • Basal Cell Carcinoma • Dermatology • Genetic Disorders • Non-melanoma Skin Cancer • Oncology • Skin Cancer • Squamous Cell Carcinoma • Transplantation

Evaluating a Sequential Treatment Strategy for Recalcitrant Warts: A Time-Dependent Comparative Study. (PubMed, J Am Acad Dermatol) - No abstract available

Journal • Dermatology

Frequency of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) patients with more than one germline mutation and case report of a novel triple mutant in DNA repair genes associated with very high frequency skin cancers (AAD 2026) - "We provide an example of chemoprevention with on-label topical 5-fluorouracil and off-label acitretin to lower her NMSC incidence by >70%. We anticipate that germline testing platform usage will increase in the coming decades, leading to more patients testing positive for more than one pathogenic mutation. Optimal management of these patients depends on the combination of germline mutations and phenotypes. Management may require careful consideration of combination and/or off-label treatment (5, 6) due to lack of guidance or systematic data in the literature."

Case report • Clinical • Genetic Disorders • Non-melanoma Skin Cancer • Skin Cancer • Solid Tumor • Squamous Cell Carcinoma • BRCA1 • MSH3 • MUTYH

Vunakizumab and Acitretin Combination Therapy for Refractory Generalized Pustular Psoriasis in the Elderly: A Case Report and Literature Review (AAD 2026) - "We report a case of refractory GPP in an elderly patient. Based on the findings from this review, acitretin emerges as an effective and safe option for combination therapy, specifically when used with vunakizumab. Besides IL-36R inhibitors, this study underscores the potential of combination therapy involving biologics and acitretin as an alternative approach for GPP management."

Case report • Clinical • Combination therapy • Review • Dermatology • Immunology • Inflammation • Psoriasis • Pustular Psoriasis • IL17A

Pediatric Mycosis Fungoides Presenting with Hypopigmented Lesions: A Case Report (AAD 2026) - "The patient was treated with acitretin and narrowband UVB...Conclusion MF should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent hypopigmented lesions in children. Early biopsy and a multidisciplinary approach are essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management."

Case report • Clinical • Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma • Dermatology • Hematological Malignancies • Immunology • Lymphoma • Mycosis Fungoides • Oncology • Pediatrics • T Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma • Vitiligo

Beyond the Scalpel: Conservative Management of Eruptive Keratoacanthomas in a Geriatric Case (AAD 2026) - "Given her age, comorbidities, and lesion distribution, a multimodal regimen was used: topical 5-fluorouracil 5% with calcipotriol under occlusion (Monday–Friday, six weeks), oral nicotinamide (500 mg twice daily), daily medium-compression stockings, and systemic acitretin (10 mg/day, increased to 20 mg/day after two months). This case demonstrates that a multimodal, non-surgical regimen offers a safe and effective alternative for managing eruptive KAs in elderly patients with surgical contraindications."

Clinical • Dry Eye Disease • Ophthalmology • Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral Chemoprevention of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Organ Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review (AAD 2026) - "Retinoids (acitretin and etretinate), vitamin B3 derivatives (nicotinamide), mTOR inhibitors (sirolimus), and antimetabolites (capecitabine) have been evaluated with variable efficacy and tolerability profiles. Conclusion Retinoids, nicotinamide, capecitabine, and sirolimus show promising efficacy in chemoprevention of skin cancer in OTRs, but adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation are common. Balancing efficacy with tolerability should be considered when selecting chemopreventive strategies for this population."

Clinical • Review • Genetic Disorders • Non-melanoma Skin Cancer • Skin Cancer • Solid Tumor • Transplantation

Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis Associated with HPV-2 Infection (AAD 2026) - "Treatment with oral acitretin and topical retinoic acid led to partial regression, but lesions recurred upon discontinuation...To our knowledge, this represents a rare report of EV associated with HPV-2 infection in an adult with immunologic dysfunction and a TMC6 mutation. The case highlights the need for heightened awareness of HPV-2 as a possible pathogen in EV, careful selection of molecular diagnostic methods, and ongoing monitoring for malignant transformation."

Human Papillomavirus Infection • Infectious Disease • CD4

Biological Treatment of Psoriasis-Data So Far. (PubMed, Pharmaceuticals (Basel)) - "Although topical treatments, systemic treatments (methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin), and phototherapy play a role, biologic agents have improved the efficacy of treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis. The purpose of this article is to comprehensively review the clinical trial data and evaluate and compare the key features of the currently approved biologic drugs for the treatment of psoriasis."

Journal • Review • Dermatology • Immunology • Inflammation • Psoriasis

Clinical Implications of Bariatric Surgery on Prescribing in Dermatology: A Systematic Review. (PubMed, Australas J Dermatol) - "Dose escalation may be required for highly lipophilic drugs such as acitretin and isotretinoin...Dose modifications for mycophenolate mofetil may not be required post-laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy...Until more robust data are available, management should be individualised with frequent monitoring of clinical response, laboratory markers and plasma drug levels. Collaboration with a clinical pharmacist is strongly advised."

Journal • Review • Dermatology • Gastroenterology • Gastrointestinal Disorder • Peptic Ulcer

Optimizing Acitretin Monitoring and Discontinuation: A Multicenter Retrospective Study on Laboratory Abnormalities, Adverse Effects, and Post-Treatment Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk. (PubMed, J Am Acad Dermatol) - No abstract available

Adverse events • Journal • Retrospective data • Non-melanoma Skin Cancer • Oncology • Squamous Cell Carcinoma • Squamous Cell Skin Cancer

Retrospective Analysis of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) Manifestations Seen in a Tertiary Lupus Dermatology Clinic (LUPUS 2026) - "At referral, most were already on hydroxychloroquine (69%), with over half (56%) receiving additional systemic immunosuppressants. In-clinic, topical corticosteroids (39%) and tacrolimus (31%) were the most frequently prescribed agents, while acitretin (4%) and dapsone (1%) were reserved for refractory disease.For skin-limited lupus, systemic therapy was initiated in selected cases, including prednisolone (28%), azathioprine (16%), methotrexate (9%), and mycophenolate mofetil (9%). Rituximab was used in 7% of severe or treatment-resistant patients...Combination topical and systemic approaches were commonly required. Specialist dermatology input within multidisciplinary lupus centers enhances diagnostic accuracy and optimizes skin disease management."

Retrospective data • Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus • Discoid Lupus Erythematosus • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Lupus • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus • Vasculitis

A Rare Adverse Effect of Methotrexate Mimicking Disease Progression in Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides: A Case Report. (PubMed, Case Rep Dermatol) - "Discontinuation of MTX led to dramatic resolution within 2 weeks, after which the patient was transitioned to acitretin, resulting in sustained disease control. Recognition of the characteristic histopathologic features facilitates accurate diagnosis. Early discontinuation of MTX leads to rapid resolution, underscoring the importance of prompt recognition and management."

Adverse events • Journal • Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma • Dermatology • Hematological Disorders • Hematological Malignancies • Lymphoma • Mycosis Fungoides • Oncology • T Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Acantholytic disorders: Update on pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. (PubMed, J Am Acad Dermatol) - "Topical steroids and retinoids are typically utilized for mild disease, and oral retinoids, particularly acitretin, have often been used for more severe disease, but efficacy is not universal. There is emerging evidence for biologics and small molecular inhibitors, including dupilumab, tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, apremilast, and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors to treat refractory disease. Recent data and personal experience suggest potential efficacy of low-dose naltrexone as monotherapy or adjunctive treatment. Overactivity of the interleukin-17/23 and interleukin 4/13 axes or MAPK/ERK pathways may point to novel therapeutic strategies, including guselkumab. Direct SERCA activators may hold potential for treatment of DD. This clinical review aims to equip physicians to diagnose acantholytic disorders and provide expert treatment recommendations based on emerging evidence."

Journal • Review • Dermatology • Genetic Disorders • Oncology • IL17A • IL4

Dose-stratified analysis of acitretin vs. bexarotene in mycosis fungoides: a retrospective cohort study. (PubMed, Br J Dermatol) - No abstract available

Journal • Retrospective data • Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma • Dermatology • Mycosis Fungoides • Oncology