EXPLORE!

Retinoic Acid and Its Derivatives: Therapeutic value in various skin conditions

  1245 Views

eMediNexus    14 May 2021

Retinoids are a group of compounds that includes vitamin A and its active metabolite all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). 

They help in regulating many physiological functions in multiple organ systems, helpful for normal immune competence, helps in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. 

Vitamin A derivatives have been utilized in cancer treatment and ATRA has been utilized in differentiation therapy of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). 

Retinoids have also been tested and utilized for numerous dermatological conditions like skin cancer, psoriasis, acne, and ichthyosis. 

Retinoids and derivatives in the skin: It has been reported that modulation of retinoic acid receptors and retinoid X (or rexinoid) receptors function may affect dermal cells. 

Numerous studies have mentioned the therapeutic potential of retinoic acid and its derivatives in numerous serious dermatological disorders including some malignant conditions. 

Advancements in ATRA and Other Retinoids-Mediated Therapy of Skin Conditions:

  • ATRA has shown its efficacy in reducing and even eliminating face papules of multiple miliary osteoma cutis, on its Local administration. (Cohen et al., 2001)
  • ATRA and retinol treatment leads to increased procollagen I and procollagen III protein levels causing increased epidermal thickness, thus reducing facial wrinkles following 12 weeks of therapy, contributing to the anti-ageing effect.(Kong et al., 2016)
  • Retinoids have also proven their efficacy in anogenital HPV therapy. Daily application of 0.05% ATRA cream (tretinoin) fully vanished HPV warts in 85% of children. (Kubeyinje E., 1996)
  • ATRA protects fibroblasts and other skin cells against UV radiation-induced oxidative damage. ATRA significantly induces Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2) which acts as a photoprotective agent in skin regeneration. (Cheng et al., 2019)
  • ATRA and RAR agonists ameliorate UV-induced skin damage and elevated collagen content in photoaged skin through RAR. (Li et al., 2017)
  • ATRA has also been used as a fungistatic agent, especially against Candida and Aspergillus fumigatus. It has also been tested in psoriasis patients with a predisposition to fungal infections.
  • Retinoic acid derivatives have also proven their positive effects in basal cell carcinomas (BBCs) treatment. Tazarotene has proven its efficacy in treating BBCs in a clinical trial, which showed regression of basaliomatous cells with reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis.
  • Fenretinide (4-HPR), a retinoid, has proven cytotoxic to tumour cells in the skin, and other cancers cells. It has shown its effect on tumours by ROS generation, increasing dihydroceramide production, promoting angiogenesis inhibition, and stimulating NK cells activity.

With a better understanding of the molecule in recent time, various newer methods of its delivery have also been proposed. This molecule definitely opens a door for further researches on its part.

Source: Szymański Ł, Skopek R, Palusińska M, et al. Retinoic Acid and Its Derivatives in Skin. Cells. 2020;9(12):2660. Published 2020 Dec 11. doi:10.3390/cells9122660

To comment on this article,
create a free account.

Sign Up to instantly get access to 10000+ Articles & 1000+ Cases

Already registered?

Login Now

Most Popular Articles

News and Updates

eMediNexus provides latest updates on medical news, medical case studies from India. In-depth medical case studies and research designed for doctors and healthcare professionals.