Synthesis and evaluation of novel steroidal oxime inhibitors of P450 17 (17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17-20-lyase) and 5 alpha-reductase types 1 and 2

17 alpha -Hydroxylase/C17-20-lyase (P450 17, CYP 17) and 5 alpha -reductase are the key enzymes in androgen biosynthesis and targets for the treatment of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. In the search of inhi bitors for both enzymes, 23 pregnenolone- or progesteronebased steroids wer e synthesized bearing an oxime group connected directly or via a spacer to the steroidal D-ring. Tested for inhibition of human and rat P450 17, some pregnenolone (9, 11, 14) and a series of progesterone compounds (17-20) tur ned out to be highly active inhibitors of the human enzyme. The most active compound was Z-21-hydroxyiminopregna-5,17(20)-dien-3 beta -ol (9) showing K-i values of 44 and 3.4 nM for the human and rat enzymes, respectively, an d a type II UV-difference spectrum indicating a coordinate bond between the oxime group and the heme iron. In contrast to the pregnenolones which show ed no inhibition of 5 alpha -reductase isozymes 1 and 2, the progesterones 16, 17, 20, 21, and 23 showed marked inhibition, especially toward the type 2 enzyme. Compounds 17 and 20 were identified as potent dual inhibitors of both P450 17 and 5 alpha -reductase. Tested for selectivity, the most pote nt P450 17 inhibitors 9, 10, and 14 showed no or only marginal inhibition o f P450 arom, P450 sec, and P450 TxA(2). Selected compounds were tested for inhibition of the target enzymes using whole-cell assays. Compounds 9-11 st rongly inhibited P450 17 being coexpressed with NADPH-P450 reductase in E. coli cells, and 16, 20, and 23 markedly inhibited 5 alpha -reductase expres sed in HEK 293 cells. Tested for in vivo activity, 9 (0.019 mmol/kg) decrea sed the plasma testosterone concentration in rats after 2 and 6 h by 57% an d 44%.