
Retinoic acid which belongs to the retinoid class of chemical compounds is an important metabolite of vitamin A in diets. It is currently understood that retinoic acid plays important roles in cell development and differentiation as well as cancer treatment.
How does retinoic acid help with cancer treatment?
Nov 28, 2014 · Retinoic acid which belongs to the retinoid class of chemical compounds is an important metabolite of vitamin A in diets. It is currently understood that retinoic acid plays important roles in cell development and differentiation as well as cancer treatment.
What is retinoic acid?
Retinoic acid and cancer treatment. Retinoic acid which belongs to the retinoid class of chemical compounds is an important metabolite of vitamin A in diets. It is currently understood that retinoic acid plays important roles in cell development and differentiation as well as cancer treatment. Lung, prostate, breast, ovarian, bladder, ….
When was retinoic acid first used in breast cancer treatment?
In the present review the literature about the top five lethal solid cancers (lung, stomach, liver, breast, and colon cancer), as defined by The Global Cancer Observatory of World Health Organization, and retinoic acids (ATRA, 9-cis retinoic acid, and 13-cis retinoic acid, RA) was compared. The action of retinoic acids in inhibiting the cell proliferation was found in several …
Why are retinoids important to the body?
Jul 27, 2018 · Isotretinoin, 13-cis-retinoic acid, or Isotretinoin, or Accutane (it's former brand name), was developed to treat acne. It was sometimes used to treat cancer but is increasingly being repurposed and studied to treat other cancers, such as neuroblastoma in children. Retinoic acid used with cancer is another example of an 'off-label drug.

What does retinoic acid do for cancer?
Is retinol good for cancer patients?
How are retinoic acids used?
Does retinol speed up cancer?
Can cancer patients use hyaluronic acid?
Is retinoic acid a drug?
Why is retinoic acid?
What does retinoic acid cause?
Why is retinoic acid important?
Furthermore, retinoic acid is vital in embryonic life for organ development, as well as visual function. Retinoids like retinoic acid help to transform cell types from the proliferative profile to the maturation profile by inducing differentiation.
What is retinoic acid?
Retinoic acid is a member of the over 4,000-strong family of retinoids, which are compounds derived from retinol or vitamin A, or compounds structurally similar to it. Image Credit: Igdeeva Alena / Shutterstock.com.
Is retinoic acid fat soluble?
Retinoic acid is a light-sensitive compound, like other retinoids, because of the alternating double bonds between the carbon atoms in its hydrophobic tail, which is attached to a 6-carbon ring. The low molecular weight of the compound also makes it highly fat-soluble, which means it easily diffuses across cell membranes.
Is retinoic acid a teratogenic substance?
Retinoic acid has been extensively used to prevent and treat photoaged skin and psoriasis. Both etretinoin and isotretinoin , which are two synthetic forms of vitamin A, are highly teratogenic. Etretinoin is not available for medical use, while isotretinoin is strictly controlled.
Do retinoids cause cancer?
All retinoids have a variety of functions in visual and skin conditions, and in cancer therapeutics. A low vitamin A intake is associated with higher cancer risk. Abnormal RA receptors are also linked to cancer development. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that retinoids suppress cancerous changes.
Does retinol help with cancer?
More specifically, human studies have confirmed that retinoid administration suppresses cancers of the breast, lung, and liver. These studies have also found that retinoids can reverse premalignant changes and induce differentiation of the myeloid cell series in blood.
Where is vitamin A stored?
Vitamin A itself is derived only from food, and cannot be made in the body of any animal. It is esterified and stored in the liver, which is the richest source of vitamin A apart from supplements. Retinoic acid is synthesized from retinol via two enzymatic reactions, the first of which is a reversible oxidation of retinol to retinal, ...
Is Vitamin A a retinoid?
Vitamin A is a retinoid. And all-trans retinoic acid and a great number of signalling molecules In a normal heathy individual these cause the differentiation of stem cells into normal cells. And so, the logic runs, that retinoids could equally cause cancer stem cells - the cells at the heart of all cancers; the cells no orthodox cancer drugs are capable of killing - to be turned into 'normal' cancer cells that drugs can kill, or even into normal healthy cells!
What is the name of the drug that is used to treat cancer?
Isotretinoin, 13-cis-retinoic acid, or Isotretinoin, or Accutane (it's former brand name), was developed to treat acne. It was sometimes used to treat cancer but is increasingly being repurposed and studied to treat other cancers, such as neuroblastoma in children.
How long does cis-retinoic acid last?
Children with high risk neuroblastoma, are given 13 cis-retinoic acid or isotretinoin for 6 months after being treated with chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant. It is known to reduce the risk of recurrence. The drug is pulsed, two weeks on, two weeks off.
What are the side effects of 13 cis retinoic acid?
The most common side effect of 13-cis-retinoic acid is dry and cracked lips. Dry skin or eyes are also possible, as are nosebleeds, muscle and joint pains, and changes in the nails.
How long does retinol last?
This drug is taken as a capsule, twice a day for 2 weeks, followed by 2 weeks off. Researchers are now trying to develop more effective retinoids and to define the exact role of this approach in treating neuroblastoma.
What is the treatment for neuroblastoma?
Retinoid Therapy for Neuroblastoma. Retinoids are chemicals that are related to vitamin A. They are known as differentiating agents because they are thought to help some cancer cells mature (differentiate) into normal cells. In children with high-risk neuroblastoma, treatment with a retinoid called 13-cis-retinoic acid (isotretinoin) ...
What is the generic name for tretinoin?
In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name Vesanoid® or All-trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) when referring to the generic drug name tretinoin.
Can you take aspirin before taking Tretinoin?
Before starting Tretinoin treatment, make sure you tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking (including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, herbal remedies, etc.). Do not take aspirin, or products containing aspirin unless your doctor specifically permits this.
Can cancer drugs interact with other drugs?
Cancer drugs can interact with some other medicines and herbal products. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any medicines you are taking. This includes vitamins, herbal supplements and over the counter remedies.
What do they check before and during a chemo treatment?
You have blood tests before and during your treatment. They check your levels of blood cells and other substances in the blood. They also check how well your liver and kidneys are working.
What are the side effects of a syringe?
There isn't enough information to work out in how many people these side effects might happen. You might have one or more of them. They include: 1 infections 2 an increase in blood cells such as platelets and white blood cells 3 an increase in the amount of calcium in the blood 4 an increased risk of blood clots - this can cause an increase in the risk of a stroke, heart problems and kidney problems 5 inflammation of the blood vessels 6 skin changes such as bumps or painful sores 7 inflammation of the muscles 8 genital ulcers 9 a mild allergic reaction caused by an increased level of histamines
How to control sickness?
Feeling or being sick is usually well controlled with anti sickness medicines. Avoiding fatty or fried foods, eating small meals and snacks, drinking plenty of water, and relaxation techniques can all help.
Can liver changes cause symptoms?
Change to the way the liver works. You might have liver changes that are usually mild and unlikely to cause symptoms. They usually go back to normal when treatment finishes. You have regular blood tests to check for any changes in the way your liver is working.
What is dry mouth called?
A dry mouth is also called xerostomia (pronounced zero-stow-mee-a). Talk to your nurse or doctor if you have this. They can give you artificial saliva to help with a dry mouth. It can also help to drink plenty of fluids.
How Is Retinoic Acid formed?
- Vitamin A itself is derived only from food, and cannot be made in the body of any animal. It is esterified and stored in the liver, which is the richest source of vitamin A apart from supplements. Retinoic acid is synthesized from retinol via two enzymatic reactions, the first of which is a reversible oxidation of retinol to retinal, which is followed by a second and irreversible oxidation …
Functions
- Retinoids are important biological molecules that participate in cell growth, epithelial cell growth and maturation, apoptosis, and immunologic function. Furthermore, retinoic acid is vital in embryonic life for organ development, as well as visual function. Retinoids like retinoic acid help to transform cell types from the proliferative profile to the maturation profile by inducing differe…
Retinoic Acid and Health Conditions
- All retinoids have a variety of functions in visual and skin conditions, and in cancer therapeutics. A low vitamin A intake is associated with higher cancer risk. Abnormal RA receptors are also linked to cancer development. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that retinoids suppress cancerous changes. More specifically, human studies ha...
References
Further Reading