Hui Ye,1,2,* Weifeng Chen,1,2,* Wenyan Liu,1,2 Junhui Zhu,1,2 Jingyao Liang,1,2 Xibao Zhang1,2 

1Institute of Dermatology, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510095, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, Guangzhou Dermatology Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510095, People’s Republic of China

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Jingyao Liang; Xibao Zhang, Guangzhou Dermatology Hospital, No. 56 hengfu Road, Guangzhou, 510095, People’s Republic of China, Email ljy20221228@163.com; gzpfbfzs@163.com

Abstract: Darier’s disease (DD) is a rare chronic keratinizing skin disease characterized by dyskeratosis of epidermal cells. We report a case of DD with a medical history spanning over 20 years and recurring symptoms. Pathologically confirmed DD was treated with a combination of abrocitinib and acitretin, resulting in rapid symptom resolution within 2 weeks. No recurrence was noted in an 11-week follow-up. The mechanism may involve acitretin’s inhibition of proliferation and anti-inflammation, while abrocitinib acts on IL-6 implicated in DD pathogenesis, exerting an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effect, leading to rapid symptom relief. The combination of abrocitinib and acitretin is an effective therapy for DD, offering a promising new option for refractory patients.

Keywords: keratosis follicularis, Darier’s disease, abrocitinib, acitretin