GONADOTROPIN-RELEASING-HORMONE AGONISTS - A GUIDE TO USE AND SELECTION

The development of superactive analogues of gonadatrophin-releasing ho rmone (GnRH) represents one of the most important new pharmaceutical c ontributions of the last 2 decades. This class of drugs is now availab le worldwide and is successfully employed in the management of precoci ous puberty, ovulation induction, prostatic cancer, premenopausal brea st cancer, endometriosis, uterine leiomyoma, and for the preparation o f female patients undergoing laparotomic, vaginal or endoscopic surger y. GnRH agonists art also applied with some success in other clinical conditions such as catamenial disorders, hyperandrogenism and menometr orrhagia. Studies are under way to identify other potential clinical a pplications such as other forms of cancer.