Anti-androgen Treatments

Therapeutic effect of Nepenthes kampotiana Lecomte ethanol extract (Nk-EE) on androgenic alopecia through the inhibition of apoptosis and 5α-reductase activity

There is increasing interest in hair loss treatment because a growing number of people affected. Nepenthes kampotiana Lecomte is known for its anticancer effects, but its potential for preventing hair loss has not been researched. Therefore, this study focused on the hair loss prevention effects of N. kampotiana Lecomte ethanol extract (Nk-EE). The results showed that Nk-EE had a proliferative effect on human follicle dermal papilla cells and inhibited cell death. In vivo experiments using androgenic areata models showed that Nk-EE had a positive effect on a variety of biomarkers such as hair-to-skin ratio, hair type frequency, and hair thickness. The results of this study suggest that Nk-EE has potential as an effective treatment for androgenic alopecia.

Polycystic ovary syndrome: Current scenario and future insights

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) prevails in approximately 33% of females of reproductive age globally. Although the root cause of the disease is unknown, attempts are made to clinically manage the disturbed hormone levels and symptoms arising due to hyperandrogenism, a hallmark of PCOS. This review presents detailed insights on the etiology, risk factors, current treatment strategies, and challenges therein. Medicinal agents currently in clinical trials and those in the development pipeline are emphasized. The significance of the inclusion of herbal supplements in PCOS and the benefits of improved lifestyle are also explained. Last, emerging therapeutic targets for treating PCOS are elaborated. The present review will assist the research fraternity working in the concerned domain to access significant knowledge associated with PCOS.

[Impact of combined oral contraceptives and spironolactone on hirsutism and quality of life]

OBJECTIVES

Combined oral contraceptives (COC) and spironolactone are the first and second-line treatments of mild hirsutism, since the use of cyproterone acetate was restricted to the treatment of severe hirsutism by the French guidelines for hyperandrogenism published in May 2020. Because spironolactone was until now barely used in France, the aim of this study was to evaluate the indication, efficacy and impact on quality of life of COC and spironolactone treatments on mild hirsutism in non-menopausal women.

METHODS

This retrospective monocentric study was conducted between June 2020 and October 2021. It included patients with mild hirsutism who received a prescription of COC or/and spironolactone. Modified Ferriman and Gallwey score (FGm) was performed by clinicians and self-rated by patients during the follow-up. Hirsutism-related quality of life was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and a visual analog scale.

RESULTS

A total of 44 patients were included, but only 30 patients received the treatment for 6 months. 70% of patients were free of side effects. Clinically we observed a decrease of 26% in the FGm score rated by clinicians and patients after 6 months of treatment (P<0,01). This was not correlated with an improvement in quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The data collected showed the clinical efficacy of both COC and spironolactone in the treatment of mild hirsutism. These two treatments were well-tolerated. However, the quality of life scores did not improve after 6 months. These treatments should be evaluated after a longer period.

Effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists on sex hormones and body composition in patients with primary aldosteronism

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are frequently used for the treatment of primary aldosteronism. Steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists may have antagonistic actions on androgen receptors, agonistic actions on progesterone receptors, and antagonistic actions on mineralocorticoid receptors. Because anti-androgen effects may cause body fat accumulation and skeletal muscle atrophy, there are concerns that this drug may have adverse effects on body composition. Therefore, in this randomized prospective study, we compared the adverse effects of spironolactone, a steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, and esaxerenone, a nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, on sex hormone levels and body composition in patients with primary aldosteronism without severe renal dysfunction. The serum concentration of free testosterone was significantly higher in the spironolactone group than in the esaxerenone group in both males and females. However, the levels of estradiol, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone did not significantly increase. Changes in body fat percentage and muscle mass rate were not significantly different between the two groups. No patient showed a serum potassium level ≥6.0 mEq/L; however, serum potassium levels were significantly higher in the spironolactone group than in the esaxerenone group. These data indicate that spironolactone may have antagonistic effects on androgen receptors. Esaxerenone did not show any apparent adverse effects, suggesting that it can be safely used in patients with primary aldosteronism.

Acne Syndromes and Mosaicism

Abnormal mosaicism is the coexistence of cells with at least two genotypes, by the time of birth, in an individual derived from a single zygote, which leads to a disease phenotype. Somatic mosaicism can be further categorized into segmental mosaicism and nonsegmental somatic mosaicism. Acne is a chronic illness characterized by inflammatory changes around and in the pilosebaceous units, commonly due to hormone- and inflammatory signaling-mediated factors. Several systemic disorders, such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and seborrhoea-acne-hirsutism-androgenetic alopecia syndrome have classically been associated with acne. Autoinflammatory syndromes, including PAPA, PASH, PAPASH, PsAPASH, PsaPSASH, PASS, and SAPHO syndromes include acneiform lesions as a key manifestation. Mosaic germline mutations in the FGFR2 gene have been associated with Apert syndrome and nevus comedonicus, two illnesses that are accompanied by acneiform lesions. In this review, we summarize the concept of cutaneous mosaicism and elaborate on acne syndromes, as well as acneiform mosaicism.

[Spironolactone as a relay for cyproterone acetate in hyperandrogenic women]

OBJECTIVES

Cyproterone acetate is actually the first-line anti-androgenic treatment for severe hyperandrogenism in women. However, as this treatment is currently controversial, the objective of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of spironolactone as a relay for cyproterone acetate.

METHODS

This is a monocentric retrospective study conducted between December 2002 and January 2018 at the Jeanne de Flandre Hospital at the University Hospital Center of Lille. Patients with clinical hyperandrogenism who received treatment with cyproterone acetate and then spironolactone were included. A total of 37 patients were clinically and biologically evaluated before treatment, followed by cyproterone acetate and spironolactone.

RESULTS

Clinically, the vast majority of patients were satisfied with the relay by spironolactone and found no difference between the two treatments. Biologically, testosterone and delta-4 androstenedione levels were significantly decreased with cyproterone acetate and spironolactone compared to no treatment. No significant differences were found when comparing levels under cyproterone acetate and under spironolactone. In addition, 87,5% of patients were free of side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The data collected show the clinical and biological efficacy of spironolactone as a relay for cyproterone acetate in the treatment of hyperandrogenism. This anti-androgen therefore appears as an effective and well-tolerated alternative, as a relay for cyproterone acetate in patients with hyperandrogenism.

Intermittent low-dose finasteride administration is effective for treatment of hirsutism in adolescent girls: a pilot study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Hirsutism has negative impact on adolescent psychosocial development for both cosmetic and endocrine reasons. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a new intermittent, low-dose finasteride regimen consisting of 2.5 mg of drug given every 3 days (1 day of treatment, 2 days of drug withdrawal) for 6 months in girls with hirsutism by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or idiopathic hirsutism (IH).

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-eight girls (15-19 y old) with hirsutism were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups and treated for 6 months. Fourteen patients (7 with IH, 7 with PCOS) received finasteride; fourteen patients (7 with IH, 7 with PCOS) received placebo. Hirsutism score (HS), clinical, and hormonal effects were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

In patients treated with finasteride, the HS value at 6 months was 52.9% lower than that observed at baseline in girls with IH, and 52.8% lower in girls with PCOS (P < .0001 for both). Similarly, the 3α-17 β-androstenediol glucuronide serum levels were decreased by 34.8% in patients with IH, and by 47.5% in patients with PCOS (P < .0001, respectively). Finasteride treatment was well tolerated and did not alter values of BMI, serum levels of sexual hormones, metabolic parameters related to liver and kidney function as well as glycemic and lipidic asset.

CONCLUSIONS

A low-dose of finasteride, given every 3 days, reduces the HS in young patients affected by PCOS or IH. Compared with conventional continuous finasteride administration, the intermittent low-dose regimen has similar efficacy with the advantage to be safer and less expensive.

Recent developments in antiandrogens and selective androgen receptor modulators

The androgens testosterone and dihydrotestosterone play an essential role in the development and maintenance of primary and secondary male characteristics. Androgens bind to a specific androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor which controls the expression of a large number of downstream target genes. The AR is an essential player in early and late prostate cancer, and may also be involved in some forms of breast cancer. It also represents a drug target for the treatment of hypogonadism. Recent studies furthermore indicate that targeting the AR in pathologies such as frailty syndrome, cachexia or polycystic ovary syndrome may have clinical benefit. Numerous AR ligands with very different pharmacological properties have been identified in the last 40 years and helped to treat several of these diseases. However, progress still needs to be made in order to find compounds with an improved profile with regard to efficacy, differentiation and side-effects. This will only be achieved through a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in normal and aberrant AR signaling.

Retrospective, observational study on the effects and tolerability of flutamide in a large population of patients with acne and seborrhea over a 15-year period

The long-term effects and tolerability of flutamide (Flu) in women with acne and seborrhea were evaluated. Over the 15-year period, which spans from January 1991 to January 2006, a total of 230 Caucasian women with acne, 211 of which also with seborrhea, received yearly reducing doses (250, 125, and 62.5 mg/day) of Flu alone or combined with oral contraceptive for a period varying from 3 to 6 years and more. Clinical and endocrine evaluations were performed half-yearly and yearly, respectively, in the first 3 years of the study, and yearly in the following years. Liver function evaluations were performed quarterly. Both the groups of patients under Flu therapy showed a similar, marked decrease in acne and seborrhea scores after 6 months of treatment compared with basal values. The maximum drug effect was observed after 1 year, and it was maintained during the following years of treatment. Androgens were strongly suppressed during treatment. During the first year of treatment with 250 mg/day, 4.8% of patients interrupted the study due to hepatic disorders. During the following years on the 125 and 62.5 mg/day doses, no transaminase elevation was observed. The study supports very low-dose Flu as a first-line therapy for women with acne and seborrhea.