The Mysterious Chemo-Preventive Player in Oral Cavity: Retinoids

Abstract

Vitamin A is considered as one of the essential micronutrients which are extensively associated with chemopreventive
and therapeutic modalities. Carcinogenesis is a complex disease where environmental and genetic
factors act as a predisposing cause bringing about alterations in the overall cell microstructure. Possible role
of Retinoid, which is a form of Vitamin A, has been recognized in suppressing breast cancer, lung carcinoma,
cancer of the colon, prostate cancer, blood cancers and to some extent the cancers of the oral cavity. Retinoid
is known to act through RAR/RXR receptors to form ligands and thereby affect the transcription process
and controls angiogenesis, abnormal proliferation, and metastasis. Some varieties of leukemia have shown
better results with Retinoid therapy. However its role in oral premalignant and malignant lesions are not
much known. This review discusses the physiologic, epigenetic and molecular role of Retinoids in lesions
of the oral cavity.