Biomedical subjects

Anthony B Miller

Publications and source records attributed to Anthony B Miller.

56 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

An International Evaluation of the Cancer-Preventive Potential of Nine Retinoids.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) convened a working Group of experts in March 1999 to evaluate the cancer preventive potential of nine retinoids and to compile the fourth volume of the IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention. The handbook provides a comprehensive review of the relevant information in the published scientific literature through March 1999 on the potential role of all-trans-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid, all-trans N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide, etretinate, acitretin, N-ethylretinamide, targretin and LGD 1550 in cancer prevention. Of these, the data suggest that all-trans-retinoic acid, 13-cis-retinoic acid and N-ethylretinamide are not suitable for chemoprevention of cancer in humans either because they are too toxic, may enhance cancer occurrence or are ineffective. In contrast, 9-cis-retinoic acid, etretinate and acitretin show some promise, but more data are required, while all- trans N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide is quite promising. Targretin and LGD 1550 are of interest, based on theoretical grounds, but there are no significant human and little experimental data as yet.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Screening for breast cancer -is there an alternative to mammography?

Given the continuing increase in mammary cancer incidence and in many cases also mortality across the world, as well as the difficulty with primary prevention, the question of whether screening for early detection is effective is of prime importance. If there is a real benefit in terms of reduced mortality then attention should clearly be focused on the modality which should be recommended in different resource settings. In the developed world where mammography is generally available the results are less than conclusive. It seems possible that there is a segment of breast cancer benefited both by screening and by treatment, and that far from these effects being additive, they affect the same spectrum of cases, so that as treatment improves, the benefit we can expect to see from screening falls. In the Asian Pacific setting, randomized trials on the basis of the cost and benefit should be a high priority. However, the lesson from all programmes of breast screening, is that for success, attention has to be paid to all aspects of the programme, compliance with screening, high quality screening tests, quality in the referral, diagnosis and treatment process, as well as adequate follow-up.

Asia↗