Products
Abitera®
Pharmacotherapeutic group
Other hormone antagonists and related compoundsInternational name
AbirateroneDosage form
TabletsAntiandrogen with a steroidal chemical structure. Abiraterone selectively inhibits androgen biosynthesis by irreversibly blocking 17α-Hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17) activity. CYP17 is an enzyme expressed in testicles, adrenal glands, and prostate tumour cells and it is essential for the androgen biosynthesis in these tissues. CYP17 catalyzes 17α-hydroxylation of pregnenolone or progesterone and mediates cleavage of the C17,20 bond to yield testosterone precursors: dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione, respectively. Inhibition of CYP17 activity is accompanied by overproduction of mineralocorticoids in the adrenal glands.