Retinoids in the prevention and treatment of skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in the United States, with an estimated one million new cases diagnosed annually. It is estimated that one in six Americans will develop a skin cancer at some time in their lives (1). Among skin cancers, basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are by far the most frequent types, and the incidence of these cancers continues to rise (2). Traditional treatments of surgery, cryotherapy and topical medical therapies with flurouracil and imiquimod are used to manage patients with few lesions. However, genetic conditions predisposing patients to high risk for multiple and aggressive nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) are well known, and, with increasing patients immune-suppressed in the course of organ transplant treatment, alternative approaches to treating these cancers are being pursued. Although retinoids are well known to dermatologists for their significant efficacy in the treatment of disorders of keratinization, one of the most exciting effects of retinoids is in skin and mucosal cancer prevention and treatment.