• A Borghi, L Mantovani, S Minghetti, S Giari, A Virgili, and V Bettoli.
• Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
• J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2011 Sep 1; 25 (9): 1094-8.

BackgroundAimed at the reduction of post-treatment relapse of severe acne, the cumulative dose of oral isotretinoin should be ≥120 mg/kg. However, data on the appropriate oral isotretinoin treatment regimen in mild and moderate acne are lacking.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of an isotretinoin-sparing protocol in inducing permanent remission of mild and moderate acne.MethodsIn this open, prospective, non-comparative study, 150 patients affected with mild-to-moderate acne were treated with isotretinoin until complete recovery and for a further month of treatment, independent of the total cumulative dose reached. Patients then underwent a 1-year maintenance therapy with adapalene 0.1% cream. Patients were followed up for a further year, without any treatment.ResultsA total of 139 patients completed the study. Overall, patients received a mean of 80.92 mg/kg cumulative dose of isotretinoin. In the 2-year follow-up, relapse only appeared in 13 patients (9.35%).ConclusionComparing our findings with published data, this isotretinoin-sparing regimen was shown to be effective in inducing stable remission and preventing acne relapses in patients with mild-to-moderate acne. Low-cumulative dose regimens may potentially lead to a lower incidence of side-effects and to lower costs than higher doses.© 2010 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology © 2010 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

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