Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 18, 1993 TAG: 9305180148
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ORLANDO, FLA. LENGTH: Short
Doctors found that the ointment appears to return precancerous conditions of the skin and cervix to normal, presumably eliminating the risk of developing malignancy.
In one study, government-financed researchers found that Retin-A reversed cervical dysplasia, an extremely common condition that occasionally leads to cervical cancer.
In the other, funded by the makers of Retin-A, scientists found that the ointment can fade and even erase moles called dysplastic nevi. These moles sometimes grow into melanoma, a lethal form of skin cancer.
"We saw significant improvement in these funny-looking lesions," said Dr. Lynn Schuchter of the University of Pennsylvania, who conducted the mole study.
The studies are among the latest efforts in a new cancer field called chemoprevention. The goal is to make a pre-emptive strike, catching abnormal tissue before it becomes cancer.
Probably the most notable success so far in this approach is the use of Accutane, an acne medicine, to clear up oral leukoplakia. This condition often leads to mouth and throat cancer.
Retin-A is formally approved in the U.S. only for treatment of acne. However, it is also widely used to smooth wrinkled skin.
by CNB