Alitretinoin

In the United States, topical alitretinoin (in the form of a gel; trade name Panretin) is indicated for the treatment of skin lesions in AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. Alitretinoin is not indicated when systemic therapy against Kaposi's sarcoma is required.[2] It has received EMA (11 October 2000) and FDA (2 March 1999) approval for this indication.[3][4]

Under the trade name Toctino (marketed by GSK, UK) it has been granted prescription rights in the UK (08/09/2008) for oral use in chronic hand eczema.[5] In May 2009 the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued preliminary guidance[6] on the use of Alitretinoin for the treatment of severe chronic hand eczema in adults. The recommendation stated that only patients with severe chronic hand eczema who are unresponsive to potent topical corticosteroids, oral immunosuppressants or phototherapy should receive the drug. Final NICE guidance is expected in August 2009.

Systemic use, when being used to treat chronic hand eczema[1][4]

Very common (>10% frequency):

• Headache
• Hypertriglyceridemia
• High density lipoprotein decreased
• Hypercholesterolemia

Common (1-10% frequency):

Uncommon (0.1-1% frequency):

Rare (<0.1% frequency):

• Benign intracranial hypertension
• Vasculitis

Unknown frequency:

Topical use for Kaposi's sarcoma[7]

Very common (>10% frequency):

• Rash (77%)
• Pain (34%)
• Itchiness (11%)

Common (1-10% frequency):

• Exfoliative dermatitis
• Oedema
• Skin changes
• Paraesthesia

Pregnancy is an absolute contraindication as with most other vitamin A products, it should also be avoided when it comes to systemic use in any women that is of childbearing potential and not taking precautions to prevent pregnancy.[1] Toctino (the oral capsule formulation of alitretinoin) contains soya oil and sorbitol. Patients who are allergic to peanut, soya or with rare hereditary fructose intolerance should not take this medicine.[1] It is also contraindicated in nursing mothers.[1] The oral formulation of alitretinoin is contraindicated in patients with:[1]

It is a CYP3A4 substrate and hence any inhibitor or inducer of this enzyme may alter plasma levels of alitretinoin.[1] It should not be given to patients with excess vitamin A in their system as there is a potential for its actions on the retinoid X receptor to be exacerbated.[1] It may also interact with tetracyclines to cause benign intracranial hypertension.[1]

Alitretinoin is a form of vitamin A. Alitretinoin has been administered in oncological clinical studies at dosages of more than 10-times of the therapeutic dosage given for chronic hand eczema. The adverse effects observed were consistent with retinoid toxicity, and included severe headache, diarrhoea, facial flushing and hypertriglyceridemia. These effects were reversible.[1]