Antiandrogens: Clinical Applications

November 1990 in “ The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ”

F Sciarra, Vincenzo Toscano, G Concolino, F. Di Silverio

antiandrogens cyproterone acetate ethinyl-estradiol spironolactone hirsutism acne oral contraceptives benign prostatic hyperplasia prostatic carcinoma flutamide nuclear receptors DHT androgen blockade CPA SPL BPH FLU

From the encyclopedia

Cyproterone →

a synthetic anti-androgen and weak progestogen that inhibits DHT binding to androgen receptor

Spironolactone →

powerful topical and oral anti-androgen used mostly by women

Studysummary This abstract reviews the use and effects of various antiandrogens, finding clinical benefits in treating hyperandrogenism in women and improvements in urinary symptoms or cancer management in men, but it reports no new clinical results.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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.

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10 / 10 results

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