The Use of Retinoids for the Prevention and Treatment of Skin Cancers: An Updated Review |
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Authors: | Brandon Ramchatesingh,Amelia Martí nez Villarreal,Domenico Arcuri,Franç ois Lagacé ,Samy Abu Setah,Fadi Touma,Faris Al-Badarin,Ivan V. Litvinov |
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Affiliation: | 1.Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada;2.Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada;3.Division of Dermatology, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada;4.Faculté de Médicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0V6, Canada |
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Abstract: | Retinoids are natural and synthetic vitamin A derivatives that are effective for the prevention and the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). NMSCs constitute a heterogenous group of non-melanocyte-derived skin cancers that impose substantial burdens on patients and healthcare systems. They include entities such as basal cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (collectively called keratinocyte carcinomas), cutaneous lymphomas and Kaposi’s sarcoma among others. The retinoid signaling pathway plays influential roles in skin physiology and pathology. These compounds regulate diverse biological processes within the skin, including proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis and immune regulation. Collectively, retinoids can suppress skin carcinogenesis. Both topical and systemic retinoids have been investigated in clinical trials as NMSC prophylactics and treatments. Desirable efficacy and tolerability in clinical trials have prompted health regulatory bodies to approve the use of retinoids for NMSC management. Acceptable off-label uses of these compounds as drugs for skin cancers are also described. This review is a comprehensive outline on the biochemistry of retinoids, their activities in the skin, their effects on cancer cells and their adoption in clinical practice. |
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Keywords: | retinoids, chemoprevention, chemotherapy, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, Kaposi’ s sarcoma, alitretinoin, acitretin, bexarotene |
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