Toxicity, Genotoxicity, and Carcinogenicity of Isotretinoin.

Background: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disease mainly observed in adolescence, but it can also be seen during the neonatal, infantile, pre-pubertal, and adult periods. Isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) is a first-generation retinoid and is the most effective treatment for acne vulgaris.

Objective: The present study has been systematically designed to figure out the toxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic activities of isotretinoin.

Methods: In this study, a systematic approach was followed by focusing on the possible links between these topics. The search of the databases was carried out author in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (2009) developed by York University National Institute of Health Research. The search was concentrated on the Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, EBSCO Host, and Google Scholar databases.

Results: Isotretinoin was found as a toxic agent in all studies. All researchers proposed that apoptosis is the only pathway of adverse effects of isotretinoin. However, genotoxicity, teratogenicity, and carcinogenicity information of isotretinoin is very limited and controversial.

Conclusion: More detailed studies need to clarify the genotoxic and carcinogenic potential of isotretinoin. Patients should be informed correctly, the risks of treatment should be explained, and awareness should be raised.