Calcipotriol transforming skin cells affected by clear cell acanthoma.

Topical Calcipotriol: A New Dawn for Clear Cell Acanthoma Treatment?

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Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 5 min read.

"Could a Vitamin D derivative hold the key to managing this rare skin condition?"


Clear cell acanthoma (CCA), while not often diagnosed, has always intrigued dermatologists. This benign skin growth, with its varied appearance, often goes unnoticed until after a biopsy. Thankfully, dermoscopy, a skin surface examination technique, has greatly improved our ability to identify CCA accurately, thanks to its characteristic vascular patterns and surface scaling.

Traditional treatments for CCA often involve removal methods like surgery or cryotherapy (freezing). However, a recent study explores a gentler approach: topical calcipotriol, a synthetic form of vitamin D. The results suggest it could completely eliminate CCA after just two months of use, with no return of the growth a year later. This exciting development hints at a potential shift in how we manage this condition.

This novel use of calcipotriol points towards an inflammatory process being involved in CCA development. While more research is needed, this opens up new avenues for understanding and treating this skin condition. Let’s explore the details of this study, understand how calcipotriol works, and what this could mean for individuals seeking a non-surgical option for CCA.

The Calcipotriol Breakthrough: How Does it Work?

Calcipotriol transforming skin cells affected by clear cell acanthoma.

The study, conducted by Gaetano Scanni and Giovanni Pellacani, detailed the case of a 78-year-old man with a confirmed CCA on his left leg. The patient, who had the lesion for several months, declined traditional destructive treatments. Given the circumstances, the doctors opted for an off-label approach, prescribing topical calcipotriol 0.005% cream twice daily. The results were striking.

After two months of consistent application, the CCA lesion completely disappeared. What's more, there was no recurrence reported during the one-year follow-up period. Dermoscopy played a vital role not just in the initial diagnosis, but also in monitoring the treatment's effectiveness, showcasing the changes in the lesion's vascular patterns and surface characteristics.

Here's a closer look at the observations made during the study:
  • Initial Presentation: The lesion presented as a solitary, dome-shaped, pink papule. Dermoscopy revealed dotted vessels arranged in a "strings of pearls" pattern, a hallmark of CCA.
  • After 15 Days: A yellowish, star-shaped area appeared in the center of the lesion.
  • After 30 Days: A scaly collarette (scale ring) developed, with some dotted vessels remaining. The yellowish area became more prominent.
  • After 45 Days: The lesion was no longer raised. The area turned a light brown, lacking the typical vascular structures, and was covered with fine white scales.
  • After 60 Days: Only a light brown pigmentation remained, with no visible vessels. Treatment was stopped at this point.
  • 12-Month Follow-Up: No recurrence. Only a slightly lighter (hypochromic) area was visible clinically and dermoscopically.
Calcipotriol, a synthetic vitamin D3 analog, is primarily used to treat psoriasis. It works by slowing down the excessive growth of skin cells and promoting their differentiation. While CCA isn't typically considered an inflammatory condition like psoriasis, the study suggests that calcipotriol's mechanism of action may still be effective in normalizing skin cell growth and reducing the hypervascularity associated with CCA.

A Promising Alternative, But More Research is Needed

This case study offers a compelling glimpse into the potential of topical calcipotriol as a non-invasive treatment option for clear cell acanthoma. For patients who prefer to avoid surgery or cryotherapy, or for whom these options are not suitable, calcipotriol may offer a safe and effective alternative. However, it's important to remember that this is just one case, and larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish optimal treatment protocols. The findings support the idea that an inflammatory component may contribute to CCA development, opening doors for future research into targeted therapies. If you suspect you have clear cell acanthoma, consult with a dermatologist to discuss the best course of treatment for your individual needs.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is clear cell acanthoma (CCA), and why is it often initially misdiagnosed?

Clear cell acanthoma (CCA) is a benign skin growth that can present with a varied appearance. This variability often leads to misdiagnosis. The article mentions that CCA often goes unnoticed until after a biopsy. The use of dermoscopy helps with accurate identification due to its ability to show specific vascular patterns and surface scaling.

2

How does topical calcipotriol treat clear cell acanthoma (CCA), and what were the results observed in the study?

Topical calcipotriol, a synthetic form of vitamin D, was used to treat CCA. The study showed that after two months of applying calcipotriol 0.005% cream twice daily, the CCA lesion completely disappeared. Furthermore, there was no recurrence reported during the one-year follow-up. Dermoscopy was crucial in monitoring the treatment's progress, visualizing changes in the lesion's vascular patterns and surface characteristics.

3

What are the key observations made during the study using topical calcipotriol to treat clear cell acanthoma (CCA)?

The study documented several key observations during the treatment. Initially, the lesion appeared as a pink, dome-shaped papule, exhibiting a 'strings of pearls' vascular pattern under dermoscopy. After 15 days, a yellowish, star-shaped area emerged in the lesion's center. By 30 days, a scaly collarette formed, and the yellowish area became more prominent. At 45 days, the lesion was no longer raised, turning light brown with fine white scales. After 60 days, only light brown pigmentation remained, and the treatment was stopped. At the 12-month follow-up, no recurrence was observed; only a slightly lighter area was visible.

4

How does calcipotriol, typically used for psoriasis, potentially treat clear cell acanthoma (CCA), and what does this suggest about CCA's nature?

Calcipotriol, a synthetic vitamin D3 analog, primarily treats psoriasis by slowing down excessive skin cell growth and promoting cell differentiation. While CCA is not typically considered an inflammatory condition like psoriasis, the study suggests that calcipotriol's mechanism of action may still be effective in normalizing skin cell growth and reducing the hypervascularity associated with CCA. This finding supports the idea that an inflammatory component may contribute to CCA development, opening avenues for future research into targeted therapies.

5

What are the implications of using topical calcipotriol for clear cell acanthoma (CCA), and what further steps are necessary?

The use of topical calcipotriol offers a promising non-invasive treatment option for clear cell acanthoma, especially for patients who prefer to avoid surgery or cryotherapy. The case study findings suggest it is a safe and effective alternative. However, it's essential to recognize that this is a single case study. Larger studies are required to validate these findings and determine the best treatment protocols. Further research could focus on exploring the inflammatory component potentially involved in CCA development, leading to new targeted therapies. Consulting with a dermatologist for an individual treatment plan is advised.

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