Title:Steroidal Anticancer Agents: An Overview of Estradiol-related Compounds
VOLUME: 18 ISSUE: 5
Author(s):Renata Minorics and Istvan Zupko*
Affiliation:Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, P.O. Box: 0000-000, Szeged, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged, P.O. Box: 0000-000, Szeged
Keywords:2-Methoxyestradiol, cell cycle arrest, antitubulin effect, modified estradiol analogues, antiproliferative effect, apoptosis, autophagy,
estrogenic activity.
Abstract:Research of steroidal compounds as anticancer agents started almost 50 years ago. During the past
decades, several innovative new steroids, like cyproterone, finasteride, estramustin, exemestane and fulvestrant
have successfully become a part of routine clinical practice. Meanwhile, a vast amount of new information have
accumulated about the functions of the endogenous steroid system (including the characterization of enzymes,
receptors, transcription pathways, etc.) and about the role of steroids in carcinogenesis. Therefore, it is regularly
required to review the latest published results, focusing on a well-defined part within this research field that has
definitely developed into a highly diversified speciality by now. Herein, we make an attempt to summarize the
most recent results reported about anticancer agents of estrane backbone, focusing on their mechanisms of action
and their structure-activity relationships. Due to the vast number and various accessibilities of scientific
publications, neither other reviews nor this one can be considered as absolutely exhaustive. In spite of these
restrictive factors, the current review makes a good opportunity to define the recent scientific trends in the field
of estradiol-related anticancer agents.
