Chemoprevention of tumors: the role of RAR-beta.
Chemoprevention can be defined as the use of specific natural or synthetic chemical agents to reverse, suppress, or prevent carcinogenic progression to invasive cancer. The knowledge of carcinogenic mechanisms provides the scientific rationale for chemoprevention. Epithelial carcinogenesis proceeds through multiple discernible stages of molecular and cellular alterations. Understanding of the multistep nature of carcinogenesis has evolved through highly controlled animal carcinogenesis studies, and these studies have identified three distinct phases: initiation, promotion and progression. Animal model studies have provided evidence that the development of cancer involves many different factors, including alterations in the structures and functions of different genes. Transitions between successive stages can be enhanced or inhibited in the laboratory by different types of agents, such activities providing the fundamental basis for chemoprevention.
Toma
S
S
Department of Oncology, Biology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Italy. toma@cba.unige.it
Emionite
L
L
Fabia
G
G
Spadini
N
N
Vergani
L
L
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012176:Retinoids / Q000378:metabolism
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D012176:Retinoids; C082925:retinoic acid receptor beta