Dinitrochlorobenzene: Influence on the cytochrome P-450 system and mutagenic effects

An update on alopecia areata

“…It has been suggested that their use can be limited to those with more than 40% scalp involvement [32]. DCNB use is limited due to its possible mutagenicity as determined by Ames test [33]. Initial sensitization is followed by scheduled applications of gradually increasing concentrations of these solutions until a mild allergic reaction occurs.…”

Treatment of Multiple Relapsing Warts with Diphenciprone

“…The first to be tried was dinitrochlorobenzene [21][22][23][24][25], which subsequently proved to be mutagenic [26,27], Squaric acid dibutylester and diphenciprone (DPCP) have no such risks [28]. Moreover, the latter sub stances, because of their safety, were used in the treatment of resistant warts, as well as in alopecia areata [29,30], Considering the ethical problems arising from the use of substances whose long-term effects are still unknown [31], in particular in therapy for a benign condition [32,33], we have only used DPCP in treating relaps ing multiple warts as a last resort after the failure of other treatment with a view to as sessing the effectiveness of this alternative treatment.…”

Contact Allergy as a Therapeutic Tool for Alopecia Areata: Application of Squaric Acid Dibutylester

“…In 1978, we had started to conduct studies with different types of contact allergens. Such investigations have become even more urgent because DNCB has recently been found to be mutagenic in the bacterial plate incorporation assay (Ames test) [8,10]. For reasons of safety we had therefore decided to abandon the DNCB treatment for alopecia areata.…”