Role of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors in Androgen-Stimulated Skin Disorders

The document from 2013 reviewed the role of 5α-reductase (5α-R) inhibitors in androgen-stimulated skin disorders. 5α-R isozymes, which are widely expressed in human tissues, play a significant role in conditions such as benign prostate hyperplasia, prostate cancer, androgenic alopecia, acne, and hirsutism. The discovery of 5α-R type 2 deficiency in 1974 led to the development of pharmaceutical agents to inhibit 5α-R isozymes. Two such inhibitors, finasteride and dutasteride, were available for clinical use. While both were approved by the FDA for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia, only finasteride was approved for the treatment of male androgenic alopecia. The document reviewed the pathophysiology of androgen-stimulated skin disorders and key clinical trials using 5α-R inhibitors in their treatment.