Prorenone

Prorenone is a steroidal antiandrogen and progestin that was never marketed. It is a synthetic and orally active compound that was developed in the 1960s as a potential treatment for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but was ultimately not pursued for these indications.

Chemistry

Prorenone is a synthetic steroid and is classified as a steroidal antiandrogen and progestin. It is structurally related to other steroidal antiandrogens and progestins such as cyproterone acetate, chlormadinone acetate, and megestrol acetate. Prorenone is also related to the mineralocorticoid spironolactone, which is a steroidal antiandrogen and antimineralocorticoid.

Pharmacology

As a steroidal antiandrogen, prorenone acts as a competitive antagonist of the androgen receptor (AR), the biological target of androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By blocking the effects of these hormones, it can potentially be used to treat conditions like prostate cancer and BPH, which are driven by androgens. As a progestin, prorenone has progestogenic activity, meaning it activates the progesterone receptor (PR), the biological target of progesterone. This can have a variety of effects, including suppression of gonadotropin secretion and ovulation.

History

Prorenone was first synthesized in the 1960s and was investigated as a potential treatment for prostate cancer and BPH. However, it was ultimately not pursued for these indications and was never marketed.

See also

• List of steroidal antiandrogens
• List of progestogens

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