Isopropylidene substitution increases activity and selectivity of biphenylmethylene 4-pyridine type CYP17 inhibitors.

CYP17 inhibition is a promising therapy for prostate cancer (PC) because proliferation of 80% of PC depends on androgen stimulation. Introduction of isopropylidene substituents onto the linker of biphenylmethylene 4-pyridines resulted in several strong CYP17 inhibitors, which were more potent and selective, regarding CYP 11B1, 11B2, 19 and 3A4, than the drug candidate abiraterone.