Topical cream application on skin lesion

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

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Could this Vitamin D-based cream offer a non-surgical solution for a rare skin condition?"

Clear cell acanthoma (CCA) is a rare and often overlooked skin condition that presents unique diagnostic challenges. Unlike more common skin lesions, CCA can be difficult to recognize clinically, often only being accurately identified after a biopsy. This diagnostic uncertainty can lead to unnecessary anxiety for patients.

Traditional treatments for CCA typically involve ablative methods such as surgery or cryotherapy. While effective, these approaches can be invasive and may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those with underlying health conditions or aversions to surgical procedures. This highlights the need for less invasive and more patient-friendly treatment options.

A recent study explores the potential of topical calcipotriol, a vitamin D analogue, as a novel therapeutic approach for CCA. Calcipotriol is commonly used to treat psoriasis by regulating skin cell growth and differentiation. This study's findings suggest it may offer a safe and effective alternative to traditional treatments for CCA, warranting further investigation.

How Does Calcipotriol Work for Clear Cell Acanthoma?

Topical cream application on skin lesion

The study focused on a 78-year-old man who presented with a solitary, asymptomatic, dome-shaped papule on his left leg. Dermatoscopy, a skin surface microscopy technique, revealed patterns consistent with CCA, specifically dotted vessels arranged in "strings of pearls" and a keratinized collarette.

Given the patient's reluctance towards traditional destructive treatments, topical calcipotriol 0.005% cream was applied twice daily for two months. The treatment was closely monitored using dermatoscopy to track changes in the lesion.

Initial Assessment: The lesion was a well-defined pink papule.
After 15 Days: A yellowish, irregular area appeared in the center.
After 30 Days: A scaly collarette developed with a central yellow area.
After 45 Days: The lesion became a pink to light brown area, lacking vascular structures.
After 60 Days: Light brown pigmentation was visible with no evident vessels.
12-Month Follow-Up: No recurrence, only a slightly hypochromic area.

The results were remarkable. After two months of treatment, the CCA lesion completely regressed with no relapse observed during a one-year follow-up. Dermatoscopic imaging confirmed the clinical improvement, demonstrating the resolution of the characteristic vascular patterns and collarette. Importantly, the patient experienced no local or systemic side effects during the treatment period.

What Does This Mean for the Future of CCA Treatment?

This case study offers a promising glimpse into the potential of topical calcipotriol as a safe and effective treatment option for clear cell acanthoma. Its non-invasive nature makes it particularly appealing for patients who prefer to avoid surgery or cryotherapy. While further research is needed to confirm these findings in larger patient groups, this study suggests that calcipotriol could become a valuable tool in the management of CCA, potentially shifting the treatment paradigm towards more conservative and patient-centered approaches.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is Clear Cell Acanthoma (CCA), and why is it often challenging to diagnose?

Clear Cell Acanthoma (CCA) is a rare skin condition that presents unique diagnostic challenges. Unlike more common skin lesions, CCA can be difficult to recognize clinically. The diagnosis of CCA often requires a biopsy for accurate identification, which can cause unnecessary anxiety for patients. This diagnostic uncertainty highlights the need for reliable diagnostic tools to help physicians differentiate CCA from other skin conditions with similar presentations.

What are the typical treatments for Clear Cell Acanthoma, and what are their drawbacks?

Traditional treatments for Clear Cell Acanthoma (CCA) typically involve ablative methods like surgery or cryotherapy. While effective, these treatments can be invasive and may not be suitable for all patients, particularly those with underlying health conditions or aversions to surgical procedures. The invasiveness of these methods often leads to discomfort, potential scarring, and the need for a recovery period, underscoring the need for less invasive and more patient-friendly alternatives.

How does topical calcipotriol work in treating Clear Cell Acanthoma?

Topical calcipotriol, a vitamin D analogue, works by regulating skin cell growth and differentiation. It is commonly used to treat psoriasis. In the context of Clear Cell Acanthoma (CCA), calcipotriol's mechanism is believed to help in the regression of the lesion by normalizing the abnormal skin cell processes associated with CCA. This is demonstrated through dermatoscopic imaging which shows the resolution of the characteristic vascular patterns and collarette.

What were the specific results of using topical calcipotriol on the patient's Clear Cell Acanthoma?

In the case study, the patient with Clear Cell Acanthoma (CCA) experienced remarkable results. The treatment with topical calcipotriol 0.005% cream, applied twice daily for two months, led to complete regression of the CCA lesion. Dermatoscopic imaging confirmed this clinical improvement, showing the resolution of the vascular patterns and collarette. Furthermore, the patient experienced no local or systemic side effects, and no relapse was observed during the one-year follow-up.

What are the implications of these findings for the future of Clear Cell Acanthoma treatment?

This case study suggests that topical calcipotriol could be a valuable tool in the management of Clear Cell Acanthoma (CCA), potentially shifting the treatment paradigm toward more conservative and patient-centered approaches. Its non-invasive nature makes it particularly appealing for patients who prefer to avoid surgery or cryotherapy. Although further research is needed to confirm these findings in larger patient groups, the promising results indicate a potential for safer and more effective treatment options for CCA, minimizing patient discomfort and improving overall outcomes.