Assessment of the clinical effect of topical tacalcitol on ichthyoses with retentive hyperkeratosis

Background: Topical tacalcitol (1 alpha ,24-dihydroxyvitamin D-3) has been demonstrated to produce beneficial clinical effects on epidermo-hyperproliferative disorders such as psoriasis and pityriasis rubra pilaris. However, the efficacy of the agent has not been elucidated in retentive hyperkeratotic disorders. Objective: The object of the study was to assess the clinical efficacy of topical tacalcitol against ichthyoses with retentive hyperkeratosis; X-linked ichthyosis (XLI), ichthyosis vulgaris (IV), and acquired ichthyosis (Al), Methods: Tacalcitol was topically applied on 9 patients with the retention ichthyoses, using a single-blinded, bilaterally paired approach with right-left comparison of tacalcitol and the base. Results: Clinical improvement obtained by topical tacalcitol exclusively was not superior to that of the vehicle alone in any of the ichthyotic patients. Conclusion: Topical tacalcitol therapy was ineffective against ichthyoses without epidermal hyperproliferation. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.