Retinoids for the future: oncology.

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.