Clinical Applications of Mifepristone (RU486) and Other Antiprogestins

Mifepristone (RU486), the first clinically available antiprogestin, has generated great interest since its discovery in the early 1980s. Today, it is recognized that mifepristone, along with other antiprogestins, has a potentially significant therapeutic role in human health and disease, with likely applicability to a variety of pregnancy-related conditions (e.g., management of labor) and to contraception, endometriosis, and cancer, among others. But because mifepristone has been studied and used most widely as a means of nonsurgical abortion, political issues have thus far limited research on the drug and prevented its introduction into the U.S. market.This book provides an unbiased evaluation of current knowledge about both the fundamental nature of antiprogestins as well as their possible use in treating numerous diseases and conditions, and it contains recommendations for future research.Table of ContentsFront MatterSummaryINtroductionUses of Antiprogestins: The Reproductive Cycle (Part I)Uses of Antiprogestins: The Reproductive Cycle (Part II)Other Therapeutic Uses of AntiprogestinsAntiglucocorticoid Effects of AntiprogestinsAnimals as Models for Studying AntiprogestinsAppendix A: Agenda fr the IOM Workshop 'Antiprogestins: Assessing the Science'Appendix B: Background Papers and Presentations (In Order of Presentation at IOM Workshop)B1. 1993: RU 486--A Decade on Today and TomorrowB2. Overview and Background: Mechanism of Action of AntiprogestinsB3. The Use of Antiprogestins in the Reproductive CycleB4. Potential Contraceptive Effects of AntigestogensB5. Use of Antiprogestins Before 63 Days of AmenorrheaB6. Uses of Antiprogestins After 63 Days of AmenorrheaB7. Comments on Session IIB8. Use of Antiprogestins in the Management of Endometriosis and LeiomyomaB9. Antiprogestins and the Treatment of Breast CancerB10. Uses of RU 486 as an AntiglucocoticoidB11. Primate Models for the Study of Antiprogestins in Reproductive MedicineB12. ANtiprogestogens: Perspectives from a Global Research ProgramAppendix C: Observers at the Workshop on AntiprogestinsIndex