etretinate

Etretinate is a synthetic aromatic retinoid used primarily for the treatment of severe psoriasis. It acts by interfering with the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes and is thought to bind to retinoic acid receptors (RAR and RXR), thereby modulating gene expression involved in skin cell growth and differentiation. Etretinate is highly lipophilic with a long half-life due to storage in adipose tissue; it can remain detectable in plasma for up to three years after discontinuation. The drug was developed by Hoffmann–La Roche and approved by the FDA in 1986 but was withdrawn from markets such as Canada (1996) and the US (1998) due to its high risk of teratogenicity. In Japan it remains available under the brand name Tigason. Etretinate has been largely replaced by acitretin but may still be used for certain indications like T-cell lymphomas[1][2][3][5].

Brand names

TegisonTigason

Other names

2,4,6,8-nonatetraenoic acid, 9-(4-methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-, ethyl esterEtrinoate, Ethyl(2E,4E,6E,8E)-9-(4-Methoxy-2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenoic acid ethyl esterACITRETIN IMPURITY B