The molecular basis of retinoid action in tumors

Natural vitamin A metabolites and synthetic analogs, termed retinoids, have beneficial effects against certain types of human cancers. However, the mechanisms responsible for their therapeutic effects await clarification. Recently, an important advance was made in the field: bone morphogenetic protein-2, induced in meduloblastomas after retinoic acid treatment, appears to be a candidate for the pro-apoptotic activity of retinoids.