The Role of Androgen and Androgen Receptor in Skin-Related Disorders

The 2012 document reviews the role of androgens and androgen receptors (AR) in skin-related disorders such as acne vulgaris, androgenetic alopecia (AGA), hirsutism, and cutaneous wound healing. It suggests that AR may be a more effective treatment target than androgens for these conditions. The review discusses how androgens regulate skin physiology by binding to AR and the importance of AR in skin pathogenesis, as shown by studies with AR knockout mice. It also notes that androgens can suppress cutaneous wound healing through AR, with treatments that reduce androgen levels promoting wound closure. In acne vulgaris, targeting AR might be more effective than targeting androgens alone. The review highlights the potential of AR degradation enhancers like ASC-J9 in treating acne and AGA, and the need for further research to understand the molecular mechanisms involved. It also discusses various treatments for AGA and hirsutism, including minoxidil and finasteride, and the effectiveness of these treatments. The document concludes that targeting AR could be a promising strategy for treating skin disorders with potentially fewer side effects.