Exploring Potential Therapeutic Applications of Tazarotene: Gene Regulation Mechanisms and Effects on Melanoma Cell Growth

Tazarotene, a retinoid derivative, is widely used in treating skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. Recent studies have demonstrated its potential as a promising therapeutic agent for treating melanoma in situ. Its primary mechanism of action involves the selective activation of retinoic acid...

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Main Authors: Chun-Hua Wang, Lu-Kai Wang, Fu-Ming Tsai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Current Issues in Molecular Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/237
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author Chun-Hua Wang
Lu-Kai Wang
Fu-Ming Tsai
author_facet Chun-Hua Wang
Lu-Kai Wang
Fu-Ming Tsai
author_sort Chun-Hua Wang
collection DOAJ
description Tazarotene, a retinoid derivative, is widely used in treating skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. Recent studies have demonstrated its potential as a promising therapeutic agent for treating melanoma in situ. Its primary mechanism of action involves the selective activation of retinoic acid receptors (RAR-β and RAR-γ), which play important roles in regulating cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. By activating these receptors, tazarotene influences the expression of several downstream inducible genes, such as tazarotene-induced gene-1 (<i>TIG1</i>), <i>TIG2</i>, and <i>TIG3</i>. These genes play crucial roles in regulating melanoma cell proliferation, invasiveness, and immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of retinoid derivatives—particularly tazarotene—in melanoma treatment and the latest research regarding their molecular mechanisms. We will explore how tazarotene suppresses melanoma growth through gene regulation mechanisms and discuss its potential role in immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, we assess the advantages and challenges of using tazarotene as a topical treatment and explore its future clinical applications. These studies contribute to a wider understanding of tazarotene’s antitumor mechanisms, providing a solid theoretical foundation for its potential as a therapeutic option for melanoma in situ.
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spelling doaj-art-0008c06de4df48a5b78bc0d144dc260e2025-08-20T02:17:20ZengMDPI AGCurrent Issues in Molecular Biology1467-30371467-30452025-03-0147423710.3390/cimb47040237Exploring Potential Therapeutic Applications of Tazarotene: Gene Regulation Mechanisms and Effects on Melanoma Cell GrowthChun-Hua Wang0Lu-Kai Wang1Fu-Ming Tsai2Department of Dermatology, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, TaiwanOperation & Promotion Division, National Center for Biomodels, National Institutes of Applied Research, Taipei City 115, TaiwanDepartment of Research, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, New Taipei City 231, TaiwanTazarotene, a retinoid derivative, is widely used in treating skin conditions such as psoriasis and acne. Recent studies have demonstrated its potential as a promising therapeutic agent for treating melanoma in situ. Its primary mechanism of action involves the selective activation of retinoic acid receptors (RAR-β and RAR-γ), which play important roles in regulating cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. By activating these receptors, tazarotene influences the expression of several downstream inducible genes, such as tazarotene-induced gene-1 (<i>TIG1</i>), <i>TIG2</i>, and <i>TIG3</i>. These genes play crucial roles in regulating melanoma cell proliferation, invasiveness, and immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of retinoid derivatives—particularly tazarotene—in melanoma treatment and the latest research regarding their molecular mechanisms. We will explore how tazarotene suppresses melanoma growth through gene regulation mechanisms and discuss its potential role in immune responses within the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, we assess the advantages and challenges of using tazarotene as a topical treatment and explore its future clinical applications. These studies contribute to a wider understanding of tazarotene’s antitumor mechanisms, providing a solid theoretical foundation for its potential as a therapeutic option for melanoma in situ.https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/237tazaroteneretinoic acidmelanomatazarotene-induced generetinoic acid receptorsretinoid X receptors
spellingShingle Chun-Hua Wang
Lu-Kai Wang
Fu-Ming Tsai
Exploring Potential Therapeutic Applications of Tazarotene: Gene Regulation Mechanisms and Effects on Melanoma Cell Growth
Current Issues in Molecular Biology
tazarotene
retinoic acid
melanoma
tazarotene-induced gene
retinoic acid receptors
retinoid X receptors
title Exploring Potential Therapeutic Applications of Tazarotene: Gene Regulation Mechanisms and Effects on Melanoma Cell Growth
title_full Exploring Potential Therapeutic Applications of Tazarotene: Gene Regulation Mechanisms and Effects on Melanoma Cell Growth
title_fullStr Exploring Potential Therapeutic Applications of Tazarotene: Gene Regulation Mechanisms and Effects on Melanoma Cell Growth
title_full_unstemmed Exploring Potential Therapeutic Applications of Tazarotene: Gene Regulation Mechanisms and Effects on Melanoma Cell Growth
title_short Exploring Potential Therapeutic Applications of Tazarotene: Gene Regulation Mechanisms and Effects on Melanoma Cell Growth
title_sort exploring potential therapeutic applications of tazarotene gene regulation mechanisms and effects on melanoma cell growth
topic tazarotene
retinoic acid
melanoma
tazarotene-induced gene
retinoic acid receptors
retinoid X receptors
url https://www.mdpi.com/1467-3045/47/4/237
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AT fumingtsai exploringpotentialtherapeuticapplicationsoftazarotenegeneregulationmechanismsandeffectsonmelanomacellgrowth