retinoic acid therapy

[dw]

I would like to know about retinoic acid therapy in the treatment of emphysema.  Where can I find out more about this subject?  dw

[National Jewish]

All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) is a form of vitamin A, which has been shown to regenerate lung tissue in rats suffering from a chemically induced form of emphysema. Based on these animal studies performed at Georgetown University, a study has been designed to evaluate whether ATRA will regenerate the lungs in humans with emphysema. However, caution is warranted because emphysema in people may respond very differently than the experimental emphysema that has been studied in laboratory animals. The very reason for this research is to determine whether or not ATRA has any beneficial effects in humans. For further information, please contact one of the following centers that is participating in this study:
1) Boston University [phone]
2) Columbia University in New York City [phone]
3) University of Pittsburgh [phone]
4) University of California at Los Angeles [phone]
5) University of California at San Diego [phone]

[Cynder]

Curently all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is only being investigated for treating emphysema patients.  You can view the FORTE clinical trial study information at http://www.lung.med.ucla.edu/Clinical%20Research/FORTE/