2-Methoxyestradiol was beingdeveloped as an experimental drug candidate with the tentative brand name Panzem.[16] It has undergone Phase 1clinical trials againstbreast cancer.[17] A phase II trial of 18 advancedovarian cancer patients reported encouraging results in October 2007.[18]
As of 2015[update], all clinical development of 2-methoxyestradiol has been suspended or discontinued.[21] This is significantly due to the very poororalbioavailability of the molecule and also due to its extensivemetabolism.Analogues have been developed in an attempt to overcome these problems.[22] An example is2-methoxyestradiol disulfamate (STX-140), the C3 and C17β disulfamateester of 2-methoxyestradiol.[22]
2-Methoxyestradiol was found to increasesex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels in men by 2.5-fold at a dose of 400 mg/day and by 4-fold at a dose of 1,200 mg/day.[23] Conversely, it did not seem to suppresstestosterone levels.[23]
A study in 2000 indicated that 2-Methoxyestradiol induces G2/M cycle arrest,apoptosis and the disruption of thyroid follicles. This process results in the release of thyroid antigens that may play a role in high incidence ofthyroid autoantibodies andautoimmunethyroid disease in women.[24]
^Pribluda VS, Gubish ER, Lavallee TM, Treston A, Swartz GM, Green SJ (2000). "2-Methoxyestradiol: an endogenous antiangiogenic and antiproliferative drug candidate".Cancer and Metastasis Reviews.19 (1–2):173–179.doi:10.1023/a:1026543018478.PMID11191057.S2CID20055299.
^Thekkumkara T, Snyder R, Karamyan VT (2016). "Competitive Binding Assay for the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor 30 (GPR30) or G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor (GPER)".Estrogen Receptors. Methods in Molecular Biology. Vol. 1366. Springer. pp. 11–7.doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-3127-9_2.ISBN978-1-4939-3126-2.PMID26585123.
^Martucci C, Fishman J (March 1976). "Uterine estrogen receptor binding of catecholestrogens and of estetrol (1,3,5(10)-estratriene-3,15alpha,16alpha,17beta-tetrol)".Steroids.27 (3):325–333.doi:10.1016/0039-128x(76)90054-4.PMID178074.S2CID54412821.
^Martucci C, Fishman J (December 1977). "Direction of estradiol metabolism as a control of its hormonal action--uterotrophic activity of estradiol metabolites".Endocrinology.101 (6):1709–1715.doi:10.1210/endo-101-6-1709.PMID590186.
^Martucci CP, Fishman J (December 1979). "Impact of continuously administered catechol estrogens on uterine growth and luteinizing hormone secretion".Endocrinology.105 (6):1288–1292.doi:10.1210/endo-105-6-1288.PMID499073.
^Fishman J, Martucci CP (1980). "New Concepts of Estrogenic Activity: the Role of Metabolites in the Expression of Hormone Action". In Pasetto N, Paoletti R, Ambrus JL (eds.).The Menopause and Postmenopause. pp. 43–52.doi:10.1007/978-94-011-7230-1_5.ISBN978-94-011-7232-5.
^Fishman J, Martucci C (September 1980). "Biological properties of 16 alpha-hydroxyestrone: implications in estrogen physiology and pathophysiology".The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.51 (3):611–615.doi:10.1210/jcem-51-3-611.PMID7190977.