title: Role of 5α-reductase inhibitors in androgen-stimulated skin disorders.
abstract: 5α-reductase (5α-R) isozymes are ubiquitously expressed in human tissues. This enzyme family is composed of 3 members that perform several important biologic functions. 5α-R isozymes play an important role in benign prostate hyperplasia, prostate cancer, and androgen-stimulated skin disorders, which include androgenic alopecia, acne, and hirsutism. Discovery of 5α-R type 2 deficiency in 1974 sparked interest in development of pharmaceutical agents to inhibit 5α-R isozymes, and 2 such inhibitors are currently available for clinical use: finasteride and dutasteride. 5α-R inhibitors are US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia. Only finasteride is FDA-approved for treatment of male androgenic alopecia. This article reviews the pathophysiology of androgen-stimulated skin disorders and the key clinical trials using 5α-R inhibitors in the treatment of androgen-stimulated skin disorders.
authors: Department of Urology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA. farisazzouni@hotmail.com
authors: Faris
authors: F
authors: Azzouni
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Zeitouni
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Mohler
mesh_terms: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000728:Androgens