[Chemoprevention of oral cancer].
BACKGROUND
Morbidity and mortality from oral cancer is still considerable, and has not improved significantly over the last four or five decades. Early preventive intervention in persons at high risk may improve treatment results.


METHODS
This review is based on our previously published data and by searches in the Medline and PubMed databases, using the following terms as key words: "oral premalignancies", "oral leukoplakia", "tumour progression", "genomic instability", "aneuploidy", "prognosis", "head and neck cancer", and "chemoprevention".


RESULTS
Chemoprevention requires the early and reliable identification of persons at high risk of cancer. Retinoids have a clinically documented effect towards head-and-neck cancer, but are associated with unacceptable side-effects. Coxibs and inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptors are candidate agents for chemoprevention of oral cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
It is now possible to identify persons at high risk of developing oral cancer who may benefit from chemopreventive use of coxibs or inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptors.
Sudbø
Jon
J
Det norske radiumhospital, Avdeling for onkologi, Fagområde stråleterapi, 0310 Oslo. jon.sudbo@rh.uio.no
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000379:methods*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012176:Retinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012307:Risk Factors
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D012176:Retinoids; D066246:ErbB Receptors