Retinoid and Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer

摘要

Retinoids, derivatives of vitamin A (Retinol), are required for the appropriate differentiation of normal human prostate epithelial cells. Human prostate cancer cell contain much lower levels of vitamin A and its metabolites than normal cells. We hypothesize that aberrant metabolism of vitamin A and dysregulation of gene expression in prostate tumor cells are related to the abnormal growth properties of the tumor cells. A rationale for using retinoids in prostate cancer chemotherapy is further supported by the effectiveness of ATRA (all-trans Retinoic Acid), a vitamin A metabolite, in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).