title: Targets to treat androgen excess in polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common androgen disorder in reproductive-aged women. Excessive biosynthesis and secretion of androgens by steroidogenic tissues is its central pathogenetic mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors review the potential targets and new drugs to treat androgen excess in PCOS. Besides our lab's experience, a systematic search (MEDLINE, Cochrane library, ClinicalTriasl.gov, EU Clinical Trials Register and hand-searching) regarding observational studies, randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and patents about this topic was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCOS has a heterogeneous clinical presentation. It is unlikely that a single drug would cover all its possible manifestations. Available treatments for androgen excess are not free of side effects that are of particular concern in these women who suffer from cardiometabolic risk even without treatment. A precise characterization of the source of androgen excess must tailor antiandrogenic management in each woman, avoiding undesirable side effects.
authors.affiliation: a Diabetes, Obesity and Human Reproduction Research Group, Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal & Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria IRYCIS, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM) , Carretera de Colmenar km 9'1, E-28034 Madrid, Spain +34 91 336 9029 ; +34 91 336 9029 ; hectorfrancisco.escobar@salud.madrid.org.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luque-Ramírez
authors.affiliation: a Diabetes, Obesity and Human Reproduction Research Group, Department of Endocrinology & Nutrition, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal & Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria IRYCIS, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM) , Carretera de Colmenar km 9'1, E-28034 Madrid, Spain +34 91 336 9029 ; +34 91 336 9029 ; hectorfrancisco.escobar@salud.madrid.org.
authors.forename: Héctor Francisco
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Escobar-Morreale
mesh_terms: D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism*; D015195:Drug Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000728:Androgens
keywords: androgens; antiandrogens; enzymatic inhibitors; functional hyperandrogenism; polycystic ovary syndrome; steroidogenesis; therapeutic targets