Tacalcitol, the second vitamin D analog developed as a topical antipsoriatic, was
introduced for keratosis, psoriasis, ichthyosis, pityriasis rubra pilaris and palmoplantar
pustulosis and keratoderma. It shows improvement in appearance of skin lesions for psoriasis
patients without significant side effects. In patients with psoriasis vulgaris, it effectively
inhibits keratinocyte growth. Some in vitro studies have shown that tacalcitol inhibits
interleukin-1-α-induced granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating-factor mRNA expression
of the human dermal microvascular endothelial cells, which may be involved in mediation of
angioproliferation in skin inflammation.
Tacalcitol is a synthetic vitamin D3 analog.
ChEBI: Tacalcitol is a hydroxy seco-steroid that is calciol which carries hydroxy groups at positions 1S and 24R. It is a vitamin D3 analog which is used for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris in adults, especially on the scalp. It has a role as an antipsoriatic, a vitamin D receptor agonist and an antineoplastic agent. It is a member of D3 vitamins, a hydroxy seco-steroid, a secondary alcohol and a seco-cholestane. It is functionally related to a calciol.
A poison by ingestion, subcutaneous, and intravenous routes. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating vapors,
