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Bexarotene: a promising anticancer agent

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Abstract

Retinoids are biologically active derivatives of vitamin A, which play essential roles in embryonic or adult cell behavior modulating cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The biologic effects of retinoids are mediated by two distinct families of intracellular receptors: retinoid acid receptors (RARs)-α, -β and -γ and retinoid X receptors (RXR)-α, -β and -γ. Bexarotene is a selective RXR agonist, which exerts its effects in blocking cell cycle progression, inducing apoptosis and differentiation, preventing multidrug resistance, and inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis, making it a promising chemopreventive agent against cancer.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Ministry of Health of PR China (419100-W10754) and Zhejiang University Research Grant (419100-812653).

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  1. Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 388 Yuhang Tang Road, 310058, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China

    Liyan Qu & Xiuwen Tang

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  1. Liyan Qu
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  2. Xiuwen Tang
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Correspondence to Xiuwen Tang.

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Qu, L., Tang, X. Bexarotene: a promising anticancer agent. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 65, 201–205 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-009-1140-4

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