Skin cancer is a disease with an increasing incidence due to its complex etiology and various forms of manifestation. The topical treatment can be a successful therapeutic approach in early diagnosed cutaneous neoplasm. The main drawback of the drugs currently in use is the low bioavailability caused by many pathophysiological and pharmaceutical factors. The aim of the present study was to develop new modified-release topical products by encapsulating bexarotene into biocompatible silica matrices and by formulating these systems as semisolid excipients. Bexarotene is a third generation retinoid highly selective to the retinoid X receptor and it is topically administered in the therapeutic management of skin lesions caused by T-cell lymphoma. Two semisolid bases were selected and a physical, chemical, sensory and pharmacotechnical characterization of the preparation was performed. The in vitro availability and kinetic release profile of bexarotene in the formulated products was measured. The results obtained showed a prolonged release of bexarotene from the formulations studied over a period of time longer than 8 hours. These results may be used as a basis for further in vivo studies, which are required for the assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of new topical agents with antineoplastic activity. © 2018, International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved.