What is phenretinide?
phenretinide is an older drug that is a synthetic derivative of retinoids related to vitamin A. It is also known as 4-hydroxy (phenyl) retinamide or 4-HPR. It has been found that this medicine protects against recurring breast cancer in women from menopause. Unlike many drugs used in cancer treatment, it is relatively non -toxic to humans. Phenretinide is also tested for the treatment of blindness.
Vitamin A has several different roles in the body. It works as a vitamin used in the eye. In addition, it is converted into a class of compounds known as retinoids that serve various roles in mammal physiology. Some of the functions are related to cell growth and division that could play a role in carcinogenesis. For example, retinoids regulate cell propagation, their differentiation to specific tissues and apoptosis - a profited cell death.
phenretinide is examined as a possible treatment for a number of cancer. One of the most famous studies included women's treatment for five years with phenretinide suffering from breast cancer. Pre-Menopausal WomenThey were statistically significantly less likely to develop a second bout of breast cancer. This effect was still observed in these women fifteen years after the drug administration. Unfortunately, women after menopause had an increase in the number of other breast cancer seizures.
The effect of phenretinide in the treatment of breast cancer is to cause cell apoptosis, causing them to die. This retinoid has the advantage of treatment compared to the treatment of breast cancer treatment. Some breast cancer cells respond to estrogen, while others don't. Taxol only affects those that respond to estrogen, while phenretinide affects both cell classes. In men, this medicine is used to prevent prostate cancer.
In the UK, the patent for Fenretiniden was allowed to expire. It has been found to be effective against several rare childhood cancer. Cancer Research UK received an orphaned drug license from food and drug administration (FDA) and the European Commissionand. This is an exception that allows the use of a drug, although there is no longer a valid patent for it.
Since 2010, phenretinide has been in advanced clinical trials for the treatment of macular degeneration related to age, the most common cause of blindness in the elderly. Studies have found that this drug seems to block the formation of toxic by -product of vitamin A. It also helps to reduce leaking blood vessels and help reduce inflammation. If this medicine is successful, it would be considerable progress in the treatment of blindness.