Clinical experiences of Etretinate (retinoic acid analog) in oral squamous cell carcinoma

References for mechanisms of anti-tumor activity

Abstract

Etretinate, retinoic acid analog, was administered to oral squamous cell carcinoma (16 cases) with combination chemotherapy; bleomycin or pepleomycin, radiation and radical operation. Clinically, neoplastic masses disappeared or tumor growth markedly inhibited with Etretinate therapy as compared to conventional chemotherapy. Tumors in six cases almost disappeared and did not grow in nine cases.
The effects of Etretinate administration were characterized by the existense of necrotic defects starting from tumor surfaces. Histopathologic features in the tumor tissues administered with Etretinate showed an intene vacuolization and extending intercellular spaces in treated tumor cells. Etretinate administration was more effective in the well keratinized type of the squamous cell carcinoma, and it was recognized wide variations to anti-tumor functions and side effects. Dermatological disorders, itchness and epidermis abrasion were usual side effects and were improved by stopping administration. Combination chemotherapy with Etretinate was useful to reduce or inhibite tumor growth in oral squamous cell carcinoma.