title: Synthesis and Pharmacological Effects of the Anti-Cancer Agent 2-Methoxyestradiol.
abstract: The endogenous steroid 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) is a metabolite of 17β-estradiol and its biosynthesis is well established. Moreover, 2-ME is also biosynthesized from estrone. For several years, 2-ME was perceived as an inactive metabolite devoid of any interesting biological activities. Since the late 1980s, a number of biological and pharmacological studies have revealed that 2-ME possesses interesting anti-cancer effects without any undesirable estrogen activity. In particular, the anti-vascular effects and anti-angiogenic activities that 2-ME exhibit, are of great interest and importance, in view of the development of new anti-cancer drugs based on 2-ME. Several clinical trial development programs have been initiated using the steroid 2-ME. In addition, based on the many pharmacological activities reported for 2-ME, but also due to the general interest in total and semi-synthesis of endogenous steroids, several research groups working with organic synthesis have prepared this steroid. Herein, the anti-cancer effects, the results from the clinical trial development programs and the synthetic studies towards 2-ME, are reviewed.
authors.forename: Eirik Johansson
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Solum
authors.forename: Øyvind W
authors.initials: ØW
authors.lastname: Akselsen
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vik
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, PO Box 1068 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway. t.v.hansen@farmasi.uio.no.
authors.forename: Trond Vidar
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000077584:2-Methoxyestradiol; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D004958:Estradiol; D000077584:2-Methoxyestradiol