Design and validation of specific inhibitors of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases for therapeutic application in breast and prostate cancer, and in endometriosis

17 beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17 beta-HSDs) are enzymes that are responsible for reduction or oxidation of hormones, fatty acids and bile acids in vivo, regulating the amount of the active form that is available to bind to its cognate receptor. All require NAD(P)(H) for activity. Fifteen 17 beta-HSDs have been identified to date, and with one exception, 17 beta-HSD type 5 (17 beta-HSD5), an aldo-keto reductase, they are all short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases, although overall homology between the enzymes is low. Although named as 17 beta-HSDs, reflecting the major redox activity at the 17 beta-position of the steroid, the activities of these 15 enzymes vary, with several of the 17 beta-HSDs able to reduce and/or oxidise multiple substrates at various positions. These activities are involved in the progression of a number of diseases, including those related to steroid metabolism. Despite the success of inhibitors of steroidogenic enzymes in the clinic, such as those of aromatase and steroid sulphatase, the development of inhibitors of 17 beta-HSDs is at a relatively early stage, as at present none have yet reached clinical trials. However, many groups are now working on inhibitors specific for several of these enzymes for the treatment of steroid-dependent diseases, including breast and prostate cancer, and endometriosis, with demonstrable efficacy in in vivo disease models. In this review, the recent advances in the validation of these enzymes as targets for the treatment of these diseases, with emphasis on 17 beta-HSD1, 3 and 5, the development of specific inhibitors, the models used for their evaluation, and their progress towards the clinic will be discussed. Endocrine-Related Cancer (2008) 15 665-692