Retinoids and breast cancer prevention.
Preclinical models suggest that retinoids inhibit mammary carcinogenesis. Induction of apoptosis is a unique feature of fenretinide, the most studied retinoid in clinical trials of breast cancer chemoprevention due to its selective accumulation in breast tissue and its favorable toxicological profile. In a phase III breast cancer prevention trial, fenretinide showed a very strong trend of reduction of incidence of second breast malignancies in premenopausal women, which was confirmed by the 15-year follow-up. Interestingly, ovarian cancer incidence appeared reduced during treatment in the same trial. This warrants further research on fenretinide mechanisms of action and potential efficacy and provides the rationale for a phase III primary prevention trial in young women at high risk for breast cancer.
Bonanni
Bernardo
B
Division of Cancer Prevention and Genetics, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. bernardo.bonanni@ieo.it
Lazzeroni
Matteo
M
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D012176:Retinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D012176:Retinoids