Isotretinoin (Roaccutane® / Rizuderm®)

There has been some research on isotretinoin and brain tumours, and whether it could benefit cancer patients. Isotretinoin is a drug that health professionals commonly use to treat severe acne, it may also have brand names such as Roaccutane® and Rizuderm®.

Isotretinoin can have serious and dangerous side effects including severe depression, pancreatitis, liver and kidney problems and serious skin rashes. It is also important that women do not take isotretinoin if they are pregnant and do not become pregnant within one month of taking it as it can harm the unborn baby.

Isotretinoin and brain tumours

Scientists discovered that isotretinoin is related to a type of molecule that appeared to affect the growth rate of cancer cells. Trials were conducted in the 1990s. They aimed to see if the drug could lengthen survival in patients with a brain tumour which were unsuccessful.

Following advances in technology which allow scientists to identify tumour characteristics, they were able to identify a relationship between a gene called IDH1 (found in a high percentage of low grade tumours) and the ability of isotretinoin to prolong survival. Further trials took place which unfortunately did not show any benefit to brain tumour patients. After that, no further research was conducted. 

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