ACTIVITY OF ISOTRETINOIN AGAINST SQUAMOUS-CELL CANCERS AND PRENEOPLASTIC LESIONS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 66  (6) , 1315-1319
Abstract
The effect of the synthetic vitamin A derivative isotretinoin (13-cis-retinoic acid) was studied on advanced cancers in 103 patients and on preneoplastic lesions in 5 patients. Six of 14 patients with squamous cell epithelial cancers had objective regressions of skin or s.c. metastases. Three of 5 patients with preneoplastic lesions had objective responses. The major dose-limiting toxic effects were reversible dermatitis, emotional lability and headaches. The growth of some squamous cell epithelial malignancies apparently can be inhibited by isotretinoin; other retinoids probably should be evaluated as antitumor agents.