Antiandrogens: Clinical Applications

The document discussed the clinical applications of antiandrogens, which were used to treat androgen-dependent diseases by preventing androgen action at the target tissue level. Steroidal antiandrogens like cyproterone acetate (CPA) and spironolactone (SPL) were used in women with hyperandrogenism, such as polycystic ovary (PCO) syndrome, idiopathic hirsutism, and acne. CPA was effective when combined with ethinyl-estradiol, while SPL was used for moderate hirsutism and acne, often with oral contraceptives to manage menstrual irregularities. In men, antiandrogens were tested for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic carcinoma, showing improvement in urinary symptoms and serving as an alternative to estrogen therapy in advanced prostatic carcinoma. The combination of antiandrogens with surgical or medical castration achieved complete androgen blockade, increasing remission rates and survival.