Retinoids and Carotenoids as Inhibitors of Carcinogenesis and Inducers of Cell-Cell Communication

In cell cultures of carcinogen-initiated fibroblasts, a number of retinoids and carotenoids can reversibly inhibit progression to the transformed state. The anticarcinogenic action of retinoids and carotenoids is closely correlated with enhanced gap-junction cell-to-cell communication and with increased synthesis of the gap-junction protein, connexin.