title: Retinoids in biological control and cancer.
abstract: More than 80 years ago, Wolbach and Howe provided the first evidence suggesting a link between alterations within human cells that lead to malignancies and vitamin A deficiencies (Wolbach and Howe 1925 Nutr. Rev. 36: 16-19). Since that time, epidemiological, preclinical and clinical studies have established a causative relationship between vitamin A deficiency and cancer. Laboratory research has provided insight into the intracellular targets, various signaling cascades and physiological effects of the biologically-active natural and synthetic derivatives of vitamin A, known as retinoids. Collectively, this body of research supports the concept of retinoids as chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents that can prevent epithelial cell tumorigenesis by directing the cells to either differentiate, growth arrest, or undergo apoptosis, thus preventing or reversing neoplasia. Continued refinement of the retinoid signaling pathway is essential to establishing their use as effective therapeutics for tumor subtypes whose oncogenic intracellular signaling pathways can be blocked or reversed by treatment with retinoids.
authors: Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140, USA.
authors: Anthonise Louis
authors: AL
authors: Fields
authors: Dianne Robert
authors: DR
authors: Soprano
authors: Kenneth J
authors: KJ
authors: Soprano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012176:Retinoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D012176:Retinoids; D014801:Vitamin A