Evaluation of N-4-(hydroxycarbophenyl) retinamide as a cancer prevention agent and as a cancer chemotherapeutic agent

In this review, a retinoid analogue (N-4-hydroxycarbophenyl) retinamide (R11) has been evaluated for its pharmacological and clinical properties. R11 has been studied both as a cancer prevention agent, as well as, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent. R11 alone and in combination with other agents can be used for the treatment of cervical dysplasia or leukemia. This review will examine novel strategies and mechanisms of action for retinoids in the treatment and prevention of cancer.

[Ocular hypotensive action of l-stepholidine]

Ocular hypotension was made by iv 20% NaCl 2.5 ml/kg in rabbits. On this model, l-stepholidine (l-SPD) lowered intraocular pressure when administered topically to the eyes. The ocular hypotensive action of 0.5% l-SPD was weaker than that of 0.5% timolol, but stronger than that of 0.5% pilocarpine. The maximal actions of the 3 drugs were similar. There were no significant changes of pupil diameter and carbonic anhydrase activity after l-SPD administered, but which suppressed aqueous humor formation. As the ciliary process of the eye behaves much like the renal glomerulus, dopamine increases the glomerular blood flow and dopaminergic antagonist decreases it, the mechanism of l-SPD in lowering intraocular pressure may be related to the dopaminergic receptor blocking effect of it.

Characteristics of blood rheology in patients during Novacor left ventricular assist system support

Blood rheologic properties were studied in 11 patients on Novacor LVAS support (1-126 days) as a bridge to transplantation. Overall, these patients showed slight increases in mean blood viscosity and red cell rigidity. Their mean plasma fibrinogen was in the upper normal range. However, the degree of rheologic change observed, and the individual factors affected most, were unique to each patient and hemorheologic results correlated well with the patient's clinical status.

Clinical studies on the antitumor action of mecaphane

Over a period of 4 years, 241 patients with advanced cancer were treated with mecaphane alone in 11 hospitals. Effective objective responses were obtained in 100 patients (41.4%). The response was most conspicuous in chronic granulocytic leukemia, with remission in 37 of 40 patients; in Hodgkin's disease and lymphosarcoma response rates were 60% and 47.3%, respectively. Mecaphane had an analgesic action in metastatic osteolytic bone cancer, and two patients with such metastases even attained recalcification of the osteolytic destructive lesions. The common toxic manifestations of mecaphane were leukopenia (33.6%), gastrointestinal upsets (28.2%), and thrombocytopenia (12.8%). It is concluded, therefore, that mecaphane could be a good antitumor agent in clinical use. It is less expensive and can be taken orally. Further trials of this drug are recommended.