Androgens/Androgen Receptor in the Management of Skin Diseases
January 2022
in “Journal of Biosciences and Medicines”
TLDR Understanding how androgens and their receptors work can lead to improved treatments for skin diseases.
The document discusses the role of androgens and the androgen receptor (AR) in skin health and diseases, including acne and androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Androgens, synthesized by the testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands, are crucial to the development of the pilosebaceous unit (PSU), a key component in hair growth and sebum production. The AR gene's CAG polymorphism may be a genetic marker for diseases like acne. For acne treatment, the FDA has approved various treatments, including Clascoterone, an androgen receptor inhibitor. AGA involves a gradual shrinkage of the hair follicle, with androgen paradoxically suppressing hair growth in susceptible men. Various therapies for AGA include antiandrogen therapies and androgen-independent therapies. The document also discusses treatments for hirsutism, a condition characterized by excessive hair growth in women. The document concludes that understanding the various functions of androgens, AR, or their downstream pathways could lead to the development of better treatments.
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