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Method for Novel Anti-Cancer Drug Development using Tumor Explants of Surgical Specimens
Published on: July 29, 2011
Recent patents on new steroid agents targeting the steroidogenesis for endocrine cancer treatments
1Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, CHU de Quebec - Research Center (CHUL, T4-42), 2705 Laurier Boulevard, Quebec (Quebec), G1V 4G2, Canada. donald.poirier@crchul.ulaval.ca.
Abstract:
Cancer is a leading cause of death in the population and despite the significant technological advances that have been made over the last years, there is a great need for new and better treatments with fewer side effects. Among the various types, hormone-dependent cancers are stimulated by the presence of certain steroidal hormones such as androgens and estrogens, which act through a nuclear receptor. The use of small molecules to block the biosynthesis (steroidogenesis) or the action of hormones (androgens or estrogens) is a therapeutic approach that has yielded interesting results and whose development continues. This review article emphasizes the patents and patent applications published over the last five years. It deals exclusively with steroid compounds developed as inhibitors of key enzymes (17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase, steroid sulfatase, 5α-reductases, aromatase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases) involved in the steroidogenesis and identified as therapeutic targets. Such inhibitors could be used as a drug to reduce the concentration of androgens or estrogens and, consequently, for treating hormone-dependent diseases such as prostate cancer, breast cancer and endometriosis.
Insights
New steroid compounds inhibit key enzymes in hormone production, offering potential treatments for hormone-dependent cancers like prostate and breast cancer with fewer side effects.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and oncology
- Drug discovery and development
- Patent law and intellectual property
Background:
- Hormone-dependent cancers, including prostate and breast cancer, rely on androgens and estrogens for growth.
- Current treatments targeting steroidogenesis or hormone action show promise but require further development.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are needed to improve efficacy and reduce side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review patents and patent applications from the last five years.
- To focus on steroid compounds as inhibitors of key steroidogenesis enzymes.
- To identify potential therapeutic agents for hormone-dependent diseases.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive search of patent databases for steroid compounds targeting specific enzymes.
- Analysis of enzyme targets: 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase, steroid sulfatase, 5α-reductases, aromatase, and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases.
- Evaluation of patent landscape for novel inhibitors of steroid biosynthesis.
Main Results:
- Identification of numerous patented steroid compounds designed to inhibit crucial enzymes in steroidogenesis.
- Patents cover inhibitors targeting multiple key enzymes involved in androgen and estrogen production.
- Emerging trends in small molecule inhibitors for endocrine therapy.
Conclusions:
- Patented steroid compounds show significant potential as novel therapeutic agents.
- Inhibitors of steroidogenesis enzymes offer a promising avenue for treating hormone-dependent cancers.
- Further development of these compounds could lead to improved treatments with reduced side effects for diseases like prostate cancer, breast cancer, and endometriosis.
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