Gestagens in the treatment of endometriosis

Abstract

Endometriosis occurs in 10% of females of reproductive age and ranks third among gynecological diseases, being one of the causes of infertility. The success of endometriosis treatment depends on individually selected therapy based on molecular-genetic characterization of the patient endometrial tissue. The review addresses the mechanisms of endometriosis development and the role of gestagens in the pathogenesis of this disease. We describe the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of endometriosis development, which lead to resistance to endogenous progesterone, a key link in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Because gestagen monotherapy is considered as first-line treatment, we analyze the gestagen properties that underlie the indications for their use in endometriosis. In particular, gestagen should have high gestagenic activity and an antiproliferative effect on target cells. An original domestic drug, an oral gestagen Gestobutanoil based on 17a-acetoxy-3b-butanoyloxy-6-methyl-pregna-4,6-dien-20-one (AMP-17), is promising for clinical use. The gestagenic activity of AMP-17 in the Clauberg-McPhail test is 102-fold higher than that of progesterone. AMP-17 has a pronounced antiproliferative effect on estrogen-dependent targets, such as breast cancer cells, cervical cancer cells, etc.