Retinoid Therapy

A review of clinical and laboratory research

The impact of the retinoids in clinical practice has primarily been in dermatology. When Dr Werner Bollag began his basic research and screening programme in the early 1960's, the expectation was that the retinoids would have a major impact on oncology. However, the laboratory and clinical experiences of Bollag and his colleagues in Switzerland, Stuttgen and Orfanos in Germany, led to publications on both etretinates (Tigason) and isotretinoin (Roaccutane) in the years between 1972 and 1976 in the field of dermatology. In fact the first symposium on retinoid research held in Berlin in 1981 was almost entirely dermatological. A year later a retinoid workshop in Iowa was designed to provide a forum for dermatolog­ ists from the USA involved in specific protocols investigating oral retinoids. In the UK, research into the retinoids began rather later than in Continental Europe or in the USA, although Tigason was first marketed here. It was felt in late 1982 that as many dermatologists had relatively little experience with these compounds it would be appropriate to hold an International Symposium on retinoid therapy in the UK. Thus on 16-18 May 1983 in London, 37 speakers from 11 countries addressed an audience of 300, aminly UK, dermatologists. The scientific organizing committee consisted of but two persons Dr William Cunliffe of Leeds General Infirmary, representing the European Society of Dermatolo­ gical Research, and myself from Roche Clinical Research. The Symposium was held under the auspices of the ESDR and of Roche Products Limited.