| Popis: |
With our increasing understanding of the molecular biology of cancer and of factors that predispose to a high risk of cancer, there seems little doubt that medical science will soon be able to achieve large decreases in the incidence of many forms of cancer through preventive means. The development of drugs with preventive potential, i.e. cancer chemopreventive agents, is therefore of high priority. The retinoids, the natural or synthetic analogs of retinoic acid, appear at present to offer the greatest potential for decreasing cancer incidence in such groups. Retinoic acid, as a locally produced hormone, produces many effects in target cells. In this review will be described effects of retinoids on gap junctional communication and the potential role of enhanced communication in decreasing proliferation of target cells and thus reducing their potential for neoplastic progression. |
