Bexarotene: a promising anticancer agent.
Retinoids are biologically active derivatives of vitamin A, which play essential roles in embryonic or adult cell behavior modulating cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The biologic effects of retinoids are mediated by two distinct families of intracellular receptors: retinoid acid receptors (RARs)-α, -β and -γ and retinoid X receptors (RXR)-α, -β and -γ. Bexarotene is a selective RXR agonist, which exerts its effects in blocking cell cycle progression, inducing apoptosis and differentiation, preventing multidrug resistance, and inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis, making it a promising chemopreventive agent against cancer.
Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
Liyan
L
Qu
Xiuwen
X
Tang
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D000077610:Bexarotene; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors / Q000819:agonists*; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D047488:Retinoid X Receptors; D013764:Tetrahydronaphthalenes; D000077610:Bexarotene