Antiandrogens as Therapies for COVID-19: A Systematic Review

January 2024 in “ Cancers ”

Massimiliano Cani, Samantha Epistolio, Giulia Dazio, Mikol Modesti, Giuseppe Salfi, Martino Pedrani, Luca Isella, Silke Gillessen, Ursula Vogl, Luigi Tortola, Giorgio Treglia, Consuelo Buttigliero, Milo Frattini, Ricardo Pereira Mestre

antiandrogens SARS-CoV-2

TLDR Antiandrogens don't help with COVID-19 and aren't recommended.

This systematic review analyzed 31 studies to assess the role of antiandrogens in COVID-19 treatment, focusing on androgen deprivation therapies (ADTs) and their impact on SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes. The review found that antiandrogens do not appear to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection or reduce the severity of COVID-19. While some in vitro studies showed promising results, the clinical efficacy of these treatments remains uncertain, with mixed results from various studies. The review emphasizes the need for further research to clarify the potential benefits of hormone deprivation treatments in managing COVID-19, given the complex interplay between androgens, ACE2, and TMPRSS2 in viral entry. Overall, the current evidence does not support the use of antiandrogens for COVID-19 prevention or treatment.

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Research cited in this study

13 / 13 results

research 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors Use in Prostatic Disease and Beyond

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5-alpha reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, are used for prostate issues, hair loss, and excessive hair growth, may help with COVID-19, but can cause sexual and mental health side effects, and their use in preventing prostate cancer needs more examination.

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Proxalutamide improved recovery, lowered death rates, and reduced hospital stay for COVID-19 patients.

research Impact of Androgen Deprivation Therapy on Mortality of Prostate Cancer Patients with COVID-19: A Propensity Score-Based Analysis

9 citations , November 2021 in “Infectious Agents and Cancer”

Androgen deprivation therapy doesn't lower the risk of death from COVID-19 in prostate cancer patients.

Proxalutamide Reduces the Rate of Hospitalization for COVID-19 Male Outpatients: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial

research Proxalutamide Reduces the Rate of Hospitalization for COVID-19 Male Outpatients: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Trial

42 citations , July 2021 in “Frontiers in Medicine”

Proxalutamide significantly lowered hospital admissions for male COVID-19 patients compared to a placebo.

research The Antiandrogen Enzalutamide Downregulates TMPRSS2 and Reduces Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 in Human Lung Cells

50 citations , July 2021 in “Nature Communications”

The drug enzalutamide may reduce the ability of the virus causing COVID-19 to enter lung cells.

Finasteride in Hospitalized Adult Males with COVID-19: A Risk Factor for Severity or an Adjunct Treatment - A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

research Finasteride in Hospitalized Adult Males with COVID-19: A Risk Factor for Severity or an Adjunct Treatment - A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

8 citations , April 2021 in “Medical journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran”

Taking finasteride can partially improve oxygen levels in hospitalized male patients over 50 with COVID-19 pneumonia, but it doesn't affect other outcomes like death rate or hospital stay length.

research The Clinical Applications of Five-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors

2 citations , April 2021 in “Canadian Journal of Urology”

Five-alpha reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, can treat enlarged prostates, improve urination, reduce need for prostate surgery, and lower the risk of prostate cancer, but may increase the risk of higher grade prostate cancer. They can also treat male pattern baldness.

Proxalutamide Significantly Accelerates Viral Clearance and Reduces Time to Clinical Remission in Patients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19: Results from a Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

research Proxalutamide Significantly Accelerates Viral Clearance and Reduces Time to Clinical Remission in Patients with Mild to Moderate COVID-19: Results from a Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial

41 citations , February 2021 in “Cureus”

Proxalutamide helps COVID-19 patients get rid of the virus faster and recover quicker.

Early Antiandrogen Therapy With Dutasteride Reduces Viral Shedding, Inflammatory Responses, and Time-to-Remission in Males With COVID-19: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Interventional Trial

research Early Antiandrogen Therapy With Dutasteride Reduces Viral Shedding, Inflammatory Responses, and Time-to-Remission in Males With COVID-19: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Interventional Trial

41 citations , February 2021 in “Cureus”

Dutasteride treatment in men with mild to moderate COVID-19 reduced viral shedding, inflammation, and recovery time without serious side effects.

research Anti-Androgens May Protect Against Severe COVID-19 Outcomes: Results From a Prospective Cohort Study of 77 Hospitalized Men

49 citations , January 2021 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Anti-androgens, like finasteride, dutasteride, and spironolactone, may lessen the severity of COVID-19 in men, leading to fewer ICU admissions.

research Androgen Signaling Regulates SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Levels and Is Associated with Severe COVID-19 Symptoms in Men

139 citations , December 2020 in “Cell Stem Cell”

Male hormones affect COVID-19 severity and certain drugs targeting these hormones could help reduce the risk.

research 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Are Associated With Reduced Frequency of COVID-19 Symptoms in Males With Androgenetic Alopecia

36 citations , November 2020 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors may reduce COVID-19 symptoms in bald males.

A Preliminary Observation: Male Pattern Hair Loss Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Spain – A Potential Clue to the Role of Androgens in COVID-19 Severity

research A Preliminary Observation: Male Pattern Hair Loss Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in Spain – A Potential Clue to the Role of Androgens in COVID-19 Severity

134 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Male pattern hair loss could hint at androgens affecting COVID-19 severity.

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community Recommendations for topical antiandrogens

in Treatment 2 upvotes 1 week ago

The conversation is about adding a topical anti-androgen to a hair loss treatment regimen that includes dutasteride and oral minoxidil. The user is considering topical finasteride or dutasteride, Nizoral shampoo, KX-826, and topical spironolactone, while avoiding RU58841 due to safety concerns.

community Is shedding a good sign for antiandrogens?

in Treatment 1 upvotes 1 year ago

Shedding may indicate potential regrowth when using KX-826, similar to Minoxidil and finasteride. Users report improved hair quality and minor side effects like slight headaches.

community Physio-metabolic method of treating androgenic alopecia. Cold receptors. The relationship between DHT, cold receptors, minoxidil and antiandrogens.

in Research/Science 2 upvotes 1 year ago

A method for treating androgenic alopecia using minoxidil, antiandrogens, exercise, and cold exposure to promote hair growth. Environmental factors and lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, can improve treatment effectiveness.

community Obviously, all of us who are serious take antiandrogens and growth stimulants - what else are you doing lifestyle wise, dietary wise, and regiment wise to maximize your results?

in Treatment 21 upvotes 1 year ago

The user follows a hair loss treatment routine including Propecia, oral minoxidil, ketoconazole, and plans to switch to dutasteride. They also focus on lifestyle changes, dietary supplements, and are considering laser therapy.

Physio-metabolic method of treating androgenic alopecia. Cold receptors. The relationship between DHT, cold receptors, minoxidil and antiandrogens

community Physio-metabolic method of treating androgenic alopecia. Cold receptors. The relationship between DHT, cold receptors, minoxidil and antiandrogens

in Research 413 upvotes 1 year ago

Treating androgenic alopecia with minoxidil, finasteride, and antiandrogens, alongside exercise, cryotherapy, and natural substances to stimulate cold receptors for better hair growth. The method focuses on enhancing treatment effectiveness by considering environmental and behavioral factors and the role of cold receptors and muscle stress.

community For people with overly oily hair, does topical finasteride/dutasteride/antiandrogens (like RU or Pyrilutamide) reduce sebum overproduction?

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 6 upvotes 2 years ago

The conversation discusses whether topical finasteride, dutasteride, or antiandrogens like RU58841 can reduce sebum overproduction as an early indicator of their effectiveness in treating hair loss. It suggests that while hair growth may take months to observe, a decrease in oiliness could be a quicker sign of a product's action.

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