Polyestradiol phosphate
Polyestradiol phosphate
Polyestradiol phosphate (PEP), pronounced as /ˌpɒliˌiːstrəˈdaɪoʊl ˈfɒsfeɪt/, is a synthetic estrogen that is used mainly in the treatment of prostate cancer. It is a long-acting estrogen, and is a prodrug of estradiol in the body.
Etymology
The term "Polyestradiol phosphate" is derived from its chemical structure. "Poly" refers to its multiple estradiol units, "estradiol" is a type of estrogen, and "phosphate" refers to the phosphate groups that are attached to the estradiol units.
Usage
Polyestradiol phosphate is used primarily in the treatment of prostate cancer. It works by suppressing the production of testosterone, which is a hormone that can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells.
Related Terms
- Estrogen: A group of hormones that play an important role in the normal sexual and reproductive development in women. The term "estrogen" refers to all of the chemically similar hormones in this group, which are estrone, estradiol, and estriol.
- Prostate cancer: A type of cancer that occurs in the prostate — a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
- Testosterone: A hormone that plays a key role in masculine growth and development during puberty, and has important functions in both men and women, such as regulating sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and the production of red blood cells and sperm.
- Estradiol: The most important form of estrogen in humans. It is primarily made in and released from the ovaries, adrenal cortex, and the placenta, and it plays a key role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Polyestradiol phosphate
- Wikipedia's article - Polyestradiol phosphate
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