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[摘要]：The enzymes involved in the synthesis of steroids are very interesting therapeutic targets. By reducing the levels of androgens and estrogens that stimulate the proliferation of cancer cells, a potent and selective inhibitor of a key-steroidogenic enzyme may become an alternative or a complementary strategy to the use of an antiandrogen or an antiestrogen for the treatment of prostate cancer or breast and endometrial cancers, respectively. Five enzymes, namely 17 alpha-hydroxylase 17 alpha-lyase, aromatase, 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, 5 alpha-reductases, and steroid sulfatase were especially studied and found to be interesting targets for the development of inhibitors as potential cancer drugs. The present review will summarize the role of these five enzymes and their inhibitors with a special highlight about the molecules more recently reported in the literature and exhibiting dual therapeutic action. Drug Dev Res 69:304-318, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
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