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Retinoids for the future: oncology
1Dermatology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Abstract:
A major incentive for the development of the synthetic retinoids has been their potential for the treatment and prevention of cancer. Early studies demonstrated that treatment with isotretinoin or etretinate alone could result in the regression of some existing skin cancers. However, even at high doses the response rates were poor. Greater efficacy has been observed with retinoids used in the prevention of cancer of the skin and oral cavity in high-risk patients. The potential for retinoids as chemopreventive agents is being further explored as selected retinoids are being targeted to specific malignancies, such as fenretinide for breast cancer chemoprevention. The effectiveness of tretinoin as a treatment for promyelocytic leukemia has raised enthusiasm for retinoids as cancer therapeutic agents. Furthermore, evidence of synergy between the retinoids and a variety of cytokines as enhances of differentiation chart a bright future for retinoids in oncology.
Insights
Synthetic retinoids show promise in cancer prevention and treatment. While early cancer treatment results were poor, retinoids are effective in preventing skin and oral cancers and show potential in treating leukemia.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Synthetic retinoids are being developed for cancer treatment and prevention.
- Early studies showed limited efficacy of retinoids in treating existing skin cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of retinoids in cancer chemoprevention and treatment.
- To investigate the efficacy of specific retinoids like fenretinide for breast cancer and tretinoin for promyelocytic leukemia.
Main Methods:
- Review of early studies on retinoid treatment for skin cancers.
- Evaluation of retinoid efficacy in high-risk patients for skin and oral cancer prevention.
- Exploration of targeted retinoid therapies and synergistic effects with cytokines.
Main Results:
- Retinoids demonstrated greater efficacy in cancer prevention than treatment.
- Fenretinide is being explored for breast cancer chemoprevention.
- Tretinoin has shown effectiveness in treating promyelocytic leukemia.
Conclusions:
- Retinoids hold significant potential as chemopreventive agents.
- Synergy between retinoids and cytokines enhances differentiation, indicating a promising future in oncology.
- Further research is warranted to optimize retinoid-based cancer therapies.