Update on etiopathogenesis and treatment of Acne

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2017 May-Jun;83(3):298-306. doi: 10.4103/0378-6323.199581.

Abstract

Acne, the most common skin disease, is a disorder of pilosebaceous units that affects adolescents mainly and adults occasionally. The pathogenesis is multifactorial. Besides genetic predisposition, other major factors include the action of androgens, pro-inflammatory lipids acting as ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in the sebocytes, toll-like receptor-2 acting on keratinocytes, recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns, cytokines, chemokines, inflammasomes, neuroendocrine regulatory mechanisms, diet and other pro-inflammatory targets implicated in the activation of immune detection and response. Most of these factors converge on mammalian target of rapamycin complex1 (mTORC1) activation which is further enhanced by the nutrient signaling of Western diet. This multitude of pathogenic factors has led to a new armamentarium of drugs for the treatment of acne. Topical anti-androgens, insulin-like growth factor-1 inhibitors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-modulators, acetylcholine inhibitors, topical retinoic acid metabolism-blocking agents, vitamin D analogues, antimicrobial peptides, interleukin-1α and interleukin-1β blockers and immunotherapy are some of the novel treatment options.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acne Vulgaris / drug therapy*
  • Acne Vulgaris / metabolism
  • Acne Vulgaris / pathology*
  • Administration, Topical
  • Dermatologic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / metabolism
  • Propionibacterium acnes / drug effects
  • Propionibacterium acnes / metabolism
  • Sebaceous Glands / drug effects*
  • Sebaceous Glands / metabolism
  • Sebaceous Glands / pathology*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases