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17α-Alkynyl 3α, 17β-androstanediol non-clinical and clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and metabolism

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Summary

17α-ethynyl-5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (HE3235, Apoptone) is an orally bioavailable synthetic analogue of 3β-androstanediol, that is active in rodent models of prostate and breast cancer, and is in Phase IIa clinical trials for the treatment of early- and late-stage prostate cancer. In preparation for clinical studies, nuclear hormone receptor and P450 interactions for HE3235 and major metabolites were characterized in vitro, and pharmacokinetics and metabolite profiles were studied in rodents, dogs, and monkeys. Four-week safety studies conducted in rats and dogs indicated a substantial margin of safety for clinical use, and no evidence of electrocardiographic or neurological effects, although anorexia, thrombocytopenia, and hypokalemia were identified as potentially dose-limiting toxicities at superpharmacological exposures. Pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism have been studied in prostate cancer patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Harbor BioSciences, Inc., 9171 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 181, San Diego, CA, 92122, USA

    Clarence Ahlem, Michael Kennedy, Theodore Page, David Bell, Evelyn Delorme, Sonia Villegas, Chris Reading, Steven White, Dwight Stickney & James Frincke

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  1. Clarence Ahlem
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  2. Michael Kennedy
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  3. Theodore Page
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  4. David Bell
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  5. Evelyn Delorme
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  6. Sonia Villegas
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  7. Chris Reading
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  8. Steven White
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  9. Dwight Stickney
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  10. James Frincke
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Correspondence to Clarence Ahlem.

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Ahlem, C., Kennedy, M., Page, T. et al. 17α-Alkynyl 3α, 17β-androstanediol non-clinical and clinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and metabolism. Invest New Drugs 30, 59–78 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10637-010-9517-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10637-010-9517-0

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