Phenylcyclohexene and phenylcyclohexadiene substituted compounds having retinoid antagonist activity

Retinoids are natural and synthetic analogues of the hormone retinoic acid. Systemic retinoid agonist therapy is usually associated with toxic side ef fects, such as mucocutaneous toxicity, which may be alleviated by the use o f topical retinoid antagonists. We report the synthesis and biological acti vity of a new series of potent, RAR-specific antagonists substituted with p henyl cyclohexene and phenylcyclohexadiene groups. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.