The Sound of Evolution
Bexarotene
Mechanism of action:
Bexarotene is a selective retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonist. Bexarotene activates the nuclear receptor RXR within cells, with relative preference toward the RXR pathway rather than the RAR pathway, thereby regulating the expression of multiple genes involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. This influences tumor cell proliferation, promotes cellular differentiation and apoptosis, and can also reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ.
Reference(s):
1. Gniadecki R et al. (2007). The optimal use of bexarotene in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Br J Dermatol.
2. Dragnev KH et al. (2007). A proof-of-principle clinical trial of bexarotene in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Clin Cancer Res.