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Published on: August 13, 2019
Selective steroid receptor modulators in reproductive medicine
A Giannini1, E Russo, P Mannella
1Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy - tommaso.simoncini@med.unipi.it.
Tissue-specific steroid receptor modulators (SRMs) offer targeted treatments for hormone-dependent diseases. Future advancements in understanding these selective estrogen and progesterone receptor modulators (SERMs and SPRMs) promise new therapeutic indications.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Tissue-specific steroid receptor modulators (SRMs) represent a significant advancement in treating hormone-dependent diseases.
- Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) and Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulators (SPRMs) have been developed since the 1970s.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the discovery and development of SERMs and SPRMs.
- To highlight current and future applications of SRMs in reproductive medicine and cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of SRMs, focusing on SERMs and SPRMs.
- Analysis of therapeutic applications and mechanisms of action.
Main Results:
- SERMs are established treatments for infertility, osteoporosis, and breast cancer.
- SPRMs show promise in inhibiting ovulation, treating endometriosis and uterine fibroids, and have antiproliferative effects in breast cancer.
Conclusions:
- Ongoing research into SRMs, including new molecules and delivery methods, is expanding their use in contraception, endometriosis, and cancer.
- Future understanding of SRM mechanisms will likely lead to novel therapeutic indications.
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