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.
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Disclosure
ABA is the lead of the LNR Comprehensive Local Research Networks Dermatology Specialty Group, a member of the Biologics for Psoriasis Industry Subgroup, and the Steering Group of the UK Dermatology Clinical Trial Network. He has received fellowships, educational grants, consultancy fees, and acted as an investigator or a member of advisory board or a director for Abbott Laboratories, Novartis, Pfizer, Procter and Gamble, Merck Serono, LEO Pharma, Basilea Pharmaceutica, Apodi, Genus Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Medefield, EMS Research, CSD Health Research, XBioCell, Bryter Research, Genactis, Medicus, Research House, All Global, Keyquest, Teva, Almirall, and Galderma. JM is the deputy lead of the LNR Comprehensive Local Research Networks Dermatology Specialty Group; he has received educational grants, consultancy fees, and acted as an investigator for Novartis, Galderma, Abbott, Leo Pharma, Genus Pharmaceuticals, and Almirall. TK reports no conflicts of interest.