ANTI-CANCER ACTION OF RETINOIDS

Abstract

The anti-cancer action of retinyl acetate (Vitamin-A acetate, VAA), chosen as a representative retinoid substance, is attributed to its power to exercise immunopotentiation, though other possibilities are considered. The reasons for forming this opinion were: chronic VAA administration [in mice] brought about enlargement of the thymus and peripheral lymph nodes; and, VAA administration curtailed the skin allograft life though its action could be reversed by concomitant immunosuppressive agent [anti-lymphocyte serum, anti-thymocyte serum] administration.