Successful clearance of extensive/recalcitrant cutaneous warts by acitretin monotherapy: A case series study

Abstract

Most available options for the treatment of warts are limited by the potential for scarring, pain, lack of response, or recurrences, and the patients are often unable to tolerate and accept those experiences. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of oral systemic acitretin monotherapy in patients with extensive/recalcitrant cutaneous warts. The patients were given a dose of acitretin of 0.8 mg kg(-1) day(-1), and the clinical efficacy and safety of acitretin was assessed every 2 weeks for 2 months. A total of 14 patients (12 males and 2 females) were included, with an age of 14-60 years (mean 33 +/- 14.7 years) and a course of 4-48 months (mean 21.6 +/- 13.4 months). After 2 months of acitretin treatment, 42.9% (6/14) of patients (including warts of the feet, legs, and hands) exhibited complete response, 28.6% (4/14) excellent response, and 28.6% (4/14) good response. All patients demonstrated significant improvement, and the drug was well tolerated, with no patients discontinuing therapy due to side effects. Common mild side effects included dry skin and cheilitis. There were no recurrences during a follow-up period of 6 months. Acitretin monotherapy is an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for patients with extensive/recalcitrant cutaneous warts who are unsuitable for or unwilling to accept traditional treatment methods.