Steroid Sulphatase STS Inhibitors A New Therapeutic Intervention In Treatment Of Breast Cancer

Abstract

     

Steroid sulphatase is an emerging drug target for the endocrine therapy of hormone-dependent diseases, catalysing oestrogen sulphate hydrolysis to oestrogen. The inhibition of STS may effectively reducethe availability of active hormones for cancer cells, causing a positive therapeutic effect. A number of potent STS inhibitors have nowbeen developed, one of which, Irosustat (STX64, 667Coumate, BN83495), remains the only one tohave completed phase I/II clinical trials against numerous indications (breast, prostate, endometrial).This review summarizes work leading to the therapeutic concept of sulphatase inhibition, clinical trials executed to date and new insights into the significance of STS inhibition in treatment of different cancers especially metastatic breast cancer.