Retinoids, the natural and synthetic analogs of vitamin A, are growth-inhibiting and differentiation-inducing agents and show clinical promise as chemopreventive and antineoplastic agents. Fenretinide, a new synthetic retinoid, has antitumor activity in certain in vitro and in vivo model systems and was relatively nontoxic in phase I trials. Based on these data, we designed a phase II study of Fenretinide involving 31 patients with advanced breast cancer [15] and melanoma [16], two cancers shown to be responsive to this agent in preclinical models. Fenretinide was inactive in patients with advanced disease. Toxicity was mild, and reversible. Mucocutaneous side effects occurred in 16 (52%) patients. Nyctalopia developed in three patients one of whom developed decreased B-wave amplitude of the scotopic electroretinogram. The minimal toxicity and significant activity in preclinical studies make this an attractive agent for future breast cancer chemoprevention studies.
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