An orally active acetate salt of the steroidal compound abiraterone with antiandrogen activity.
It is a new oral drug for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer; it inhibits the enzymatic activity of steroid 17alpha-monooxygenase (17alpha-hydrolase/C17,20 lyase complex), a member of the cytochrome p450 family that catalyzes the 17alpha-hydroxylation of steroid intermediates involved in testosterone synthesis.
Administration of this agent may suppress testosterone production by both the testes and the adrenals to castrate-range levels.