Apoptosis May Explain the Pharmacological Mode of Action and Adverse Effects of Isotretinoin, Including Teratogenicity

    January 2017 in “ Acta dermato-venereologica ”
    Bodo C. Melnik
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    TLDR Isotretinoin's effects and side effects, like birth defects and depression, might be due to it causing cell death in various cells.
    The document from 2017 suggests that the pharmacological action and adverse effects of isotretinoin, a drug used to treat severe acne, are due to its induction of apoptosis in various cell types. It proposes that the reduction in sebum production and improvement in acne are a result of apoptosis in sebocytes, mediated by isotretinoin-induced expression of apoptotic proteins and transcription factors. The document also hypothesizes that the drug's side effects, such as teratogenicity, depression, mucocutaneous side effects, hair loss (telogen effluvium), inflammatory bowel disease, and liver and muscle issues, are linked to apoptosis in different cell types. Genetic variations in apoptotic signaling pathways may influence individual responses to isotretinoin, including the severity of side effects or resistance to the drug. The document is a review of literature and does not report on a specific study or number of participants.
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