Alitretinoin (Panretin)

Mechanism of action

From the NCI Drug Dictionary: An orally- and topically-active naturally-occurring retinoic acid with antineoplastic, chemopreventive, teratogenic, and embryotoxic activities. Alitretinoin binds to and activates nuclear retinoic acid receptors (RAR) and retinoid X receptors (RXR); these activated receptors act as transcription factors, regulating gene expression that results in the inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of cell differentiation, and apoptosis of both normal cells and tumor cells.

Diseases for which it is used

Kaposi sarcoma

Patient Drug Information

Alitretinoin (Panretin) Package Insert^[1]

History of changes in FDA indication

1999-02-02: Initial approval for topical treatment of cutaneous lesions in patients with AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma. (Based on Walmsley et al. 1999 & Bodsworth et al. 2001)

Also known as

Code names: ALRT-1057, LGD-1057
Brand names: Panretin, Panretyn, Panrexin

References

↑ Alitretinoin (Panretin) Package Insert

[1] Alitretinoin (Panretin) Package Insert

[1]