Retinoids: a journey from the molecular structures and mechanisms of action to clinical uses in dermatology and adverse effects

• Published in: The Journal of dermatological treatment 2017-11, Vol.28 (8), p.684-696
• Main Authors: Khalil, Samar, Bardawil, Tara, Stephan, Carla, Darwiche, Nadine, Abbas, Ossama, Kibbi, Abdul Ghani, Nemer, Georges, Kurban, Mazen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: acne vulgaris; Acne Vulgaris - drug therapy; Acne Vulgaris - pathology; Administration, Topical; Bacterial Infections - etiology; Humans; isotretinoin; psoriasis; Psoriasis - drug therapy; Psoriasis - pathology; Receptors, Retinoic Acid - chemistry; Receptors, Retinoic Acid - metabolism; retinoic acid; Retinoid X Receptors - chemistry; Retinoid X Receptors - metabolism; Retinoids; Retinoids - adverse effects; Retinoids - metabolism; Retinoids - therapeutic use; Retinol-Binding Proteins - chemistry; Retinol-Binding Proteins - metabolism; Skin Diseases - drug therapy; Skin Diseases - pathology; Vitamin A - adverse effects; Vitamin A - chemistry; Vitamin A - metabolism; Xerophthalmia - etiology
• ISSN: 0954-6634; 1471-1753
• DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2017.1309349

Retinoids are a class of compounds derived from vitamin A or having structural and/or functional similarities with vitamin A. They are classified into three generations based on their molecular structures. Inside the body, retinoids bind to several classes of proteins including retinoid-binding proteins and retinoid nuclear receptors. This eventually leads to the activation of specific regulatory regions of DNA - called the retinoic acid response elements - involved in regulating cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis. Several clinical trials have studied the role of topical and systemic retinoids in disease, and research is still ongoing. Currently, retinoids are used in several fields of medicine. This paper aims to review the structure, mechanisms of action, and adverse effects of retinoids, as well as some of their current uses in Dermatology.