The Retinoids and Cancer Chemoprevention

The retinoids—natural and synthetic derivatives of vitamin A—play a role in cancer therapy and prevention. Their role in chemoprevention has been highlighted through the results of clinical and epidemiological studies in conjunction with basic research on retinoid mechanisms of action, advances in genomic information, novel organic synthesis of retinoid analogs, and availability of reliable model systems. This chapter focuses on the results of recent retinoid clinical cancer therapy and chemoprevention trials, reviews the current understanding of the molecular mechanism of retinoid action, discusses in vitro models used to study retinoid chemoprevention, and summarizes information on retinoid target genes. An understanding of the convergence of clinical and basic scientific advances in the retinoid field should lead to improved strategies to use these pharmacological agents in cancer therapy or chemoprevention.