Tamibarotene (brand name: Amnolake), also called retinobenzoic acid, is orally active, synthetic retinoid, developed to overcome all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) resistance, with potential antineoplastic activity against acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) .[1] It is currently marketed only in Japan and early trials have demonstrated that it tends to be better tolerated than ATRA.[2] Tamibarotene has been tested in many other cancer types, including Acute Myeloid Leukemia where it shows no benefit,[3] and lung cancer, where it accelerated the cancer growth and increased mortality.[4]
It has also been investigated as a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease, multiple myeloma and Crohn's disease.[2][5] Tamibarotene shows a similar side effect profile to Tretinoin, but exhibits lower clearance, resulting in improved dosing regiments. Hyperlipidemia is a common finding from Tamibarotene dosing.[6]