Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt.
Cells. 2023 Apr 9;12(8):1117. doi: 10.3390/cells12081117.
Uterine fibroids (UFs) are the most important benign neoplastic threat to women's health worldwide, with a prevalence of up to 80% in premenopausal women, and can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pain, and infertility. Progesterone signaling plays a crucial role in the development and growth of UFs. Progesterone promotes the proliferation of UF cells by activating several signaling pathways genetically and epigenetically. In this review article, we reviewed the literature covering progesterone signaling in UF pathogenesis and further discussed the therapeutic potential of compounds that modulate progesterone signaling against UFs, including selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM) drugs and natural compounds. Further studies are needed to confirm the safety of SPRMs as well as their exact molecular mechanisms. The consumption of natural compounds as a potential anti-UFs treatment seems promising, since these compounds can be used on a long-term basis-especially for women pursuing concurrent pregnancy, unlike SPRMs. However, further clinical trials are needed to confirm their effectiveness.
子宫肌瘤（UFs）是全球女性健康最重要的良性肿瘤威胁，在绝经前女性中的患病率高达 80%，可导致月经过多、疼痛和不孕。孕激素信号在 UF 的发生和发展中起着至关重要的作用。孕激素通过在遗传和表观遗传上激活几种信号通路促进 UF 细胞的增殖。在这篇综述文章中，我们回顾了涵盖孕激素信号在 UF 发病机制中的文献，并进一步讨论了调节孕激素信号的化合物治疗 UF 的潜力，包括选择性孕激素受体调节剂（SPRMs）药物和天然化合物。需要进一步的研究来确认 SPRMs 的安全性及其确切的分子机制。作为一种潜在的抗 UF 治疗方法，天然化合物的应用似乎很有前景，因为这些化合物可以长期使用——尤其是对于同时追求怀孕的女性，这与 SPRMs 不同。然而，需要进一步的临床试验来确认它们的有效性。
