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Retinoic acid for treatment of systemic sclerosis and morphea: A literature review
Author(s) -
Thomas Renee M.,
Worswick Scott,
Aleshin Maria
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/dth.12455
Subject(s) - morphea , medicine , retinoic acid , scleroderma (fungus) , dermatology , connective tissue , fibrosis , connective tissue disease , immune system , localized scleroderma , immunology , pathology , disease , autoimmune disease , biology , biochemistry , lichen sclerosus , inoculation , gene
Systemic sclerosis and morphea are connective tissue diseases characterized by tightening, thickening, and hardening of the skin, leading to significant morbidity. Unfortunately, current treatment options have limited efficacy for many patients. Cutaneous manifestations of these diseases arise from excess collagen deposition and fibrosis in the skin, through pathogenic mechanisms which have yet to be extensively detailed at the causal immune and cellular levels. Research elucidating the mechanism of action of retinoic acid on collagen production in the skin and case series highlighting the success of retinoic acid on the skin manifestations of systemic sclerosis and on morphea demonstrate its promise as a treatment. Herein they will briefly review the treatment options for both systemic sclerosis and morphea, and will discuss the potential of retinoic acid as a therapy and the supporting evidence from the literature, highlighting the previously published basic science and clinical studies investigating the role of retinoic acid in the treatment of sclerotic skin diseases.