SELECTIVE ANDROGEN RECEPTOR MODULATORS AS FUNCTION PROMOTING THERAPIES

Abstract

Despite empiric evidence that androgens promote muscle growth, concerns remain about their safety, particularly their association with prostate hypertrophy, the development of male secondary sex characteristics in women, and their potential to accelerate the development of prostate cancer. These concerns led to the development of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), a class of androgen receptor ligands that bind to androgen receptors in a tissue-selective manner to activate of androgenic signaling (1). SARMs are used for many indications including osteoporosis, anemia, male contraception, male hypogonadism, and wound healing. SARMs may be either steroidal or non-steroidal.