[Retinoids and carcinogenesis]

This evaluation of experimental, clinical, and epidemiological current publications tries to assess the potential relevance of retinoids for oncology. Beginning with a discussion of the significance of retinoids in physiology in general, the following chapters deal with the role of retinoids in differentiation processes and in carcinogenesis induced by chemical, physical and viral factors, with the interference of retinoids during the promotion phase of carcinogenesis, as well as with their action on transplanted tumors and on cell and organ cultures. Finally possible side effects of retinoids are discussed. In spite of intensive international research in this field the results are to some extent inconsistent or even contradictory. Therefore it seems premature at the present time to recommend the routine use of retinoids for prevention or therapy of malignant tumours.