[Retinoids in the therapy of diseases of the hematopoietic system and malignant tumors].

The antitumor effect of different retinoids focused attention in the treatment of malignant disorders on different pathways. The therapeutic effect was proved in acute promyelocytic leukaemia, but was limited in juvenile form of chronic myeloid leukaemia and in acute myelomonocytic and monoblastic leukaemia. Combined with different leukostatics, long remission could be achieved. The most important therapeutic pathway is direct growth inhibition with and without cell differentiation. Clinically, retinoids are effective in tumours, like: cutan T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, Sézary syndrome, oral leukoplakia (prevention of head and neck cancer metastases), variant form of small lung cell carcinoma, oestrogen dependent breast-carcinoma and cervix-carcinoma. The most serious complication of the retinoids' administration is the retinoic acid syndrome which is followed sometimes with thromboembolic events. Retinoids are teratogenic and hepatotoxic.