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Retinoids in cancer chemoprevention
1Department of Tumor Biology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 77030, USA.
Abstract:
Naturally occurring and synthetic vitamin A metabolites and analogs (retinoids) inhibit tumor development in a variety of cellular, animal, and patient studies. They suppress transformation of cells in vitro and inhibit carcinogenesis in various organs in animal models. In a mouse skin carcinogenesis model, topical retinoids exhibit suppressive effects on tumor promotion, but have no effect on tumor initiation. In other models, retinoids administered in the diet suppress tumor development even in an adjuvant setting after excision of the first tumor. Retinoids suppress carcinogenesis in individuals with premalignant lesions and a high risk to develop cancer of the aerodigestive tract. Likewise, retinoids prevent the development of second primary cancers in head/neck and lung cancer patients who had been treated for the first primary. The mechanisms underlying the anticarcinogenic activity of retinoids appear to be associated with the ability of retinoids to modulate the growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of normal, premalignant, and malignant cells in vitro and in vivo. Most of these effects are mediated by nuclear retinoid receptors, but other mechanisms may also be involved. These studies indicate that retinoids are potentially useful agent for cancer chemoprevention.
Insights
Retinoids, vitamin A derivatives, show promise in preventing cancer by suppressing tumor development and promoting healthy cell growth. These findings highlight their potential for cancer chemoprevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Retinoids, vitamin A metabolites and analogs, are known to inhibit tumor development across various studies.
- They suppress cellular transformation in vitro and inhibit carcinogenesis in animal models.
- Retinoids have demonstrated efficacy in preventing tumor promotion in mouse models and in adjuvant settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chemopreventive potential of retinoids against cancer development.
- To explore the mechanisms underlying the anticarcinogenic effects of retinoids.
- To evaluate retinoids in preventing premalignant lesions and second primary cancers.
Main Methods:
- In vitro studies on cellular transformation.
- In vivo animal models of carcinogenesis (skin, other organs).
- Clinical studies in patients with premalignant lesions and cancer survivors.
Main Results:
- Retinoids suppressed tumor promotion in mouse skin models but not initiation.
- Dietary retinoids inhibited tumor development post-excision of initial tumors.
- Retinoids suppressed carcinogenesis in individuals at high risk and prevented second primary cancers in head/neck and lung cancer patients.
Conclusions:
- Retinoids modulate cellular growth, differentiation, and apoptosis, mediating their anticarcinogenic effects.
- Mechanisms involve nuclear retinoid receptors and potentially other pathways.
- Retinoids represent a promising agent for cancer chemoprevention.