Could Vitamin-A Derivative Stop Growth of Cancer Cells?

A new study from researchers at the University of Chicago asserts that the powerful compound retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, can restore a healthy balance to cell processes, inhibiting the growth of cancerous breast cells.

Their research, published in the journal Cell, offers hope of a new way to treat and even prevent breast cancer. Specific to cancer cells that are fueled by the female hormone estrogen, retinoic acid seems to restore normal balance in malignant cells that would typically grow without restraint.

Retinoic acid has already demonstrated cancer-fighting properties in previous studies, and is currently used to treat a rare form of leukemia. In addition, this study revealed that HER negative breast tumors – that is, cells that are more difficult to treat because they don’t respond to anti-estrogen drugs – did respond positively to the vitamin A derivative.