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Spotlight on Molecular Targeted Therapy

Classical and novel retinoids: their targets in cancer therapy

Leukemia volume 16, pages 463–472 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Retinoids are important mediators of cellular growth and differentiation. Retinoids modulate the growth of both normal and malignant cells through their binding to retinoid nuclear receptors and their subsequent activation. While retinoids have demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia, their spectrum of activity remains limited. Other agents such as histone deacetylase inhibitors may significantly increase retinoid activity in a number of malignant cell types. The novel retinoids N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) and 6-[3-(1-adamantyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-2-naphthalene carboxylic acid (CD437; AHPN) induce apoptosis in a wide variety of malignant cells. Their mechanism(s) of action remain unclear, although a number of potential targets have been identified. Whether the retinoid receptors are involved in 4-HPR and CD473/AHPN mediated apoptosis remains unclear. Both 4-HPR and CD437/AHPN display significant potential as therapeutic agents in the treatment of a number of premalignant and malignant conditions.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a NIH PO1 grant CA 51993 (JAF, AKR), merit review grant from the medical research services of the Department of Veterans Affairs (JAF, AKR) and a grant from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America (JAF). We thank Bill Browning for his expert assistance in preparing the illustrations and Donna Bennett for expert preparation of the manuscript.

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  1. John D Dingell VA Medical Center and the Department of Medicine and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA

    JA Fontana & AK Rishi

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  1. JA Fontana
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Fontana, J., Rishi, A. Classical and novel retinoids: their targets in cancer therapy. Leukemia 16, 463–472 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.leu.2402414

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