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Correspondence
May 2003

A New Concept for Acne Therapy: A Pilot Study With Zileuton, an Oral 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitor

Author Affiliations

Not Available

Arch Dermatol. 2003;139(5):668-670. doi:10.1001/archderm.139.5.668

The leukotrienes, a family of highly potent biological substances derived from arachidonic acid, are suggested to play an important role in the development of tissue inflammation.1 Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a major player whose synthesis is mainly controlled by 5-lipoxygenase. Among several diseases, hyperkeratotic inflammatory skin diseases and especially psoriasis seem to respond to LTB4 inhibitors.2 Recent study findings indicate the potential involvement of the arachidonic acid pathway in the development of inflammation in acne and provide logical support for the use of LTB4 inhibitors in acne treatment.3

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