uterine fibroid

Relugolix (RVT-601) is an orally available, non-peptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)) antagonist, with potential antineoplastic activity. Relugolix competitively binds to and blocks the GnRH receptor in the anterior pituitary gland, which both prevents GnRH binding to the GnRH receptor and inhibits the secretion and release of both luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). In males, the inhibition of LH secretion prevents the release of testosterone from Leydig cells in the testes. Since testosterone is required to sustain prostate growth, reducing testosterone levels may inhibit hormone-dependent prostate cancer cell proliferation.

Estradiol (E2) is a naturally occurring steroidal sex hormone that is essential for female fertility and maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics. Estradiol upregulates IL-6 expression through estrogen receptor beta (ERβ).

Linzagolix is a small-molecule, non-peptide, orally active gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH antagonist) which is under development by Kissei Pharmaceutical and ObsEva for the treatment of uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. As of December 2020, it is under review for approval for uterine fibroids, is in phase III clinical trials for endometriosis, and is in phase II clinical studies for adenomyosis.