The impact of the retinoids in clinical practice has primarily been in dermatology. When Dr Werner Bollag began his basic research and screening programme in the early 1960's, the expectation was that the retinoids would have a major impact on oncology. However, the laboratory and clinical experiences of Bollag and his colleagues in Switzerland, Stuttgen and Orfanos in Germany, led to publications on both etretinates (Tigason) and isotretinoin (Roaccutane) in the years between 1972 and 1976 in the field of dermatology. In fact the first symposium on retinoid research held in Berlin in 1981...