Epitiostanol
Overview[edit]
Epitiostanol is a synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) that was developed in the 1960s. It is primarily known for its use in the treatment of breast cancer. Epitiostanol is a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and is characterized by its unique chemical structure, which includes a sulfur atom.
Chemical Structure[edit]
Epitiostanol is chemically known as 2_,3_-epithio-5_-androstan-17_-ol. The presence of the epithio group (a sulfur atom replacing an oxygen atom) in its structure is a distinguishing feature that contributes to its biological activity.
Mechanism of Action[edit]
Epitiostanol functions as an anti-estrogenic agent. It binds to estrogen receptors in breast tissue, thereby inhibiting the growth of estrogen-dependent tumors. Unlike other anti-estrogens, epitiostanol does not exhibit estrogenic activity, making it a pure anti-estrogen.
Medical Uses[edit]
Epitiostanol was primarily used in the treatment of breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. Its ability to inhibit estrogen-dependent tumor growth made it a valuable therapeutic option before the advent of more modern treatments.
Pharmacokinetics[edit]
Epitiostanol is administered via injection due to its poor oral bioavailability. Once administered, it is metabolized in the liver and excreted primarily through the urine.
Side Effects[edit]
As with other anabolic-androgenic steroids, epitiostanol can cause a range of side effects. These may include:
- Virilization in women
- Liver toxicity
- Changes in lipid profile
Discontinuation[edit]
The use of epitiostanol has largely been discontinued in favor of newer, more effective treatments for breast cancer, such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.
Related Compounds[edit]
Epitiostanol is related to other anabolic-androgenic steroids, such as oxandrolone and stanozolol, which also have medical applications but differ in their specific uses and side effect profiles.
Related Pages[edit]
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
