Peretinoin is an orally active synthetic acyclic retinoid (ACR) whose in vivo anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) efficacy is attributed to its upregulatory activity toward retinoid nuclear receptors (RARbeta & RXRalpha), as well as negative regulation against sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) expression and, thereby, sphingosine metabolic pathway. Peretinoin inhibits the replication of hepatitis B & C viruses in cultures (HBV & HCV EC50 = 9-25 μM) and shows in vivo efficacy in rodent models of hepatocarcinogenesis among rats (10, 40, or 80 mg/kg/day p.o.) and mice (0.03% or 0.06% in diet) subjected to chronic inflammation induction by diethylnitrosamine (DEN).
