Systemic treatment of psoriatic patients with bexarotene decreases epidermal proliferation and parameters for inflammation, and improves differentiation in lesional skin.

Background: Bexarotene, a novel synthetic retinoid X receptor (RXR)-selective retinoid, has been reported to have antiproliferative and apoptotic stimulating effects in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. In benign, hyperproliferative, and retinoid sensitive disorders, such as psoriasis, bexarotene has not been evaluated so far and no information on these parameters is available.

Objective: In the present study, immunohistochemical parameters for proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, and apoptosis were investigated in a group of bexarotene-treated psoriatic patients.