Compositions and methods for inhibiting 5-alpha reductase

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions for controlling androgen activity in target organs and cells through the modulation of a 5-α-reductase activity. In certain aspects, these compositions are employed to modulate androgenic activity by inhibiting the formation and availability of active androgen in target cells. As a result, the present invention is directed toward the treatment of a wide variety of conditions including, but not limited to, the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic cancer, hirsutism, acne, male pattern baldness, seborrhea, and other diseases related to androgen hyperactivity. Several of these compositions have been shown to effectively decrease body weight, and in some cases, to decrease the weight of an androgen-dependent body organ, such as the prostate and other organs.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This applications claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional 60 / 503,381, filed Sep. 16, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention pertains to compositions and methods for treating disease. In particular, the instant invention pertains to regulating 5-α reductase and thereby affect the physiological process leading to certain diseases. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] There are two commonly associated male physiological events that have a similar etiology. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern baldness are both related to the enzyme 5-α reductase. (Hirsutism in women is also related to this enzyme.) An excess in activity of 5-α reductase has been shown to be responsible for BPH and male pattern baldness, as well as hirsutism in women. 5-α Reductase catalyzes the conversion of testosterone to 5α dihydrotestosterone (5α DHT). 5α DHT is a physiological ligand for an intracellular androgen receptor. The intracellular ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention pertains to the utilization of certain compositions for the control of androgen activity in target organs and cells through the modulation of a 5-α-reductase activity. In certain aspects, these compositions are employed to modulate androgenic activity by inhibiting the formation and availability of active androgen in target cells. As a result, the present invention is directed toward the treatment of a wide variety of conditions including, but not limited to, the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic cancer, hirsutism, acne, male pattern baldness, seborrhea, and other diseases related to androgen hyperactivity. Several of these compositions have been shown to effectively decrease body weight, and in some cases, to decrease the weight of an androgen-dependent body organ, such as the prostate and other organs. The effectiveness of these compositions may be dependent also on their action on other mechanisms involved in angiogenesis, cell-cell interaction, and on their interaction with various components of organs and cells.

Problems solved by technology

Nevertheless, normal patterns of female hair growth are unacceptable to many women.

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