Ann Fonfa was invited to attend Wednesday's press conference because there were 3 presentations on non-toxic chemoprevention. Here is one press release from that day: USE OF VITAMIN A CREAM MAY PREVENT SKIN CANCER Boston, MA (October 16, 2002) - Use of topical tazarotene, a vitamin A derivative, has significant potential for the prevention of basal cell carcinoma in people predisposed to the disease, according to a study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's (AACR) first annual Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research meeting. The study was designed to see if topical treatment with this retinoid would prevent the development of skin cancer in mice predisposed to the disease who were exposed to UV radiation. The researchers found an 85 percent inhibition of both tumor number and size in the tazarotene-treated mice compared to mice administered a placebo. Tazarotene is currently on the market for the treatment of acne and psoriasis. "Oral retinoids have been shown to shrink tumors in patients with skin cancer, however, they usually are not tolerable for long periods of time," according to Ervin Epstein, Jr., MD, clinical professor and research dermatologist, Department of Dermatology, University of California School of Medicine, San Francisco, and lead investigator of the study. "Newer topical retinoids, like tazarotene, may provide a safer alternative for cancer prevention in those at risk." The mice used in this study are research models for people with basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS), an inherited syndrome with multiple defects involving the skin, nervous system, eyes, endocrine glands, and bones, leading to predispositions for developing large numbers of basal cell carcinomas. People with BCNS inherit one defective gene of the Hedgehog signaling repressor gene PATCHED 1, which is important in the development of a range of tissues; it is now known that disruption of this pathway can result in the formation of several tumor types. Basal cell carcinomas (BCC), the most common malignancy in humans, typically occurs in areas of chronic sun exposure. BCC is usually slow growing and rarely metastasizes, but it can cause significant local destruction and disfigurement if neglected or treated inadequately. Prognosis is excellent with proper therapy. An estimated one million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in United States and an estimated 9,600 cancer deaths (7,400 from melanoma, 2,200 from other forms of skin cancer) will occur in 2002, according the American Cancer Society. The rate of melanoma mortality in men has recently increased, but has been stable for women, and the incidence of skin cancer is 10 times higher in Caucasians than in African-Americans. The five-year survival rate for melanoma is 89 percent; about 82 percent of melanomas are diagnosed at a localized stage. Ann's NOTE: I read a discussion recently (may be placed on this site)that the reason women have less melanoma is that they look at their bodies more, perhaps due to creaming themselves, using body/bath/shower products, etc. Dr. Epstein stated this product was thought to be safe since kids and teens use it daily, up to five times a week for acne. He is planning a controlled trial in human research subjects. He suggested that there may be other vitamin A creams that are effective as well. It probably can be used prophylactically as well. Dr. Epstein made it clear that sunscreen prevents UVB rays but not UVA which may be more dangerous for melanomas. He said that Perillyl alcohol is going to clinical trials as a preventive, as is Apomine, an oralagent that helps stabilize melanoma in people with the disease. Along with others, he believes in a combination of agents as most successful. African/South American plant extract Dr. David Alberts, University of Az Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.