The effect of genetic polymorphisms of RARA gene on the adverse effects profile of isotretinoin-treated acne patients.

Objective: Isotretinoin is a vitamin A-derived medication that is associated with significant adverse effects including arthralgia/ myalgia, nose bleeds, headache, dyslipidemia, liver dysfunction and depression. The mechanism for development of such adverse effects remains elusive, and it is not known why adverse effects develop only in some patients. In this study, we examined the association between rs9303285, rs2715554 and rs4890109 genetic polymorphisms in the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA), one of the main targets of isotretinoin, and the adverse effects of oral isotretinoin therapy.