title: Aromatase inhibitors: their biochemistry and clinical potential.
abstract: It has been proposed that one of the endocrinological factors in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia is estrogen stimulation of stromal growth. Current clinical experience with anti-estrogenic compounds indicates that, in the case of mammary carcinoma, aromatase inhibitors provide a viable alternative to estrogen receptor antagonists for treatment of the disease. It is proposed that inhibitors of estrogen biosynthesis could likewise provide a non-invasive therapy for benign prostate disease. Some aspects of the activity of known aromatase inhibitors as substrates for enzymes of steroid metabolism and their potential relevance to the pharmacology of the compounds are discussed.
mesh_terms: D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D004967:Estrogens; D000735:Androstenedione; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; C032690:3-alpha-(17-beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (NAD(+)); D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase; C021936:3-oxo-5 beta-steroid delta 4-dehydrogenase; C014594:formestane