Tretinoin
Definition
Tretinoin, a natural vitamin A metabolite, is an anti-cancer drug used in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).
Purpose
Tretinoin is given to APL patients with the goal of bringing on a remission. The drug is being investigated as a treatment for skin cancer, and it is also available in an acne cream commonly called Retin-A.
Description
Tretinoin causes abnormal leukemia cells in the blood to mature into normal cells (granulocytes). The exact mechanism of action is not known. In clinical trials 72-94% of APL patients experienced a complete remission when taking this drug. Tretinoin can be used to...
[The entire page is 909 words long]