CRABP1 and cancer: This study reveals a physiological relevance of the non-genomic action of atRA, mediated by Crabp1, in modulating cell cycle progression and apoptosis induction, and provides a new cancer therapeutic strategy whereby compounds specifically targeting Crabp1 can modulate cell cycle and cancer cell apoptosis in a RAR-independent fashion, thereby avoiding atRA’s toxicity caused by its genomic effects.