Anti-cancer action of retinoids

Immunology. 1981 Feb;42(2):349-53.

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: (1) chronic administration of VAA brought about enlargement of the thymus and peripheral lymph nodes; (2) the administration of VAA curtailed the life of skin allografts though (3) its action could be reversed by the concomitant administration of immunosuppressive agents.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antilymphocyte Serum / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Graft Survival / drug effects*
  • Immunization
  • Lymphoid Tissue / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / prevention & control*
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Skin Transplantation*
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Vitamin A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vitamin A / pharmacology*
  • Vitamin A / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antilymphocyte Serum
  • Vitamin A