Arotinoids. A new class of retinoids with activities in oncology and dermatology.

Arotinoids are a new class of retinoids with particular biological properties. Arotinoid Ro 13-6298 in minute quantities leads to regression of chemically induced papillomas of the skin of mice. The ratio between the antipapilloma effect and the toxic syndrome of hypervitaminosis A is very favorable. Ro 13-6298 also has a therapeutic influence on chemically induced skin carcinomas in mice. As the papilloma model has proved to be suitable for screening for antipsoriatic and antikeratinizing properties as well as for antineoplastic screening, arotinoids might be useful in human clinical dermatology and oncology.