Successful treatment of chronic hand eczema with oral 9-cis-retinoic acid

Background: 9-cis-Retinoic acid (9-cis-RA) has a particular pattern of binding and activating retinoid receptors. Treatment of chronic hand eczema is often refractory to conventional treatment. Objective: Evaluation of oral 9-cis-RA therapy in chronic hand eczema in a pilot study. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with refractory chronic hand eczema were treated in an exploratory open-label study with oral 9-cis-RA. Results: Twenty-one (55%) showed a very good response, 13 (34%) a good response, 2 (5.5%) a moderate response and 2 (5.5%) no response. Side effects were mild. Conclusion: 9-cis-RA is a valuable drug when given at low doses to patients with chronic hand eczema. Copyright (R) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.