Bromoketoprogesterone (BKP), also known as 9α-bromo-11-oxoprogesterone (BOP), and known by the tentative brand name Braxarone (

Squibb Squib or Squibb may refer to: * Squib (explosive), a miniature explosive with a very small charge ** Bullet hit squib, a practical effect simulating a gunshot wound in film and theatre * Squib (''Harry Potter'') * Squib (''Star Wars'') * Squib ( ...

), is an

orally active Oral administration is a route of administration where a substance is taken through the mouth. Per os abbreviated to P.O. is sometimes used as a direction for medication to be taken orally. Many medications are taken orally because they are in ...

progestin A progestogen, also referred to as a progestagen, gestagen, or gestogen, is a type of medication which produces effects similar to those of the natural product, natural female sex hormone progesterone in the body. A progestin is a ''synthetic co ...

which does not appear to have been marketed.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Whereas

11-ketoprogesterone 11-Ketoprogesterone (brand name Ketogestin; former developmental code names Bio 66, U-1258), or 11-oxoprogesterone, also known as pregn-4-ene-3,11,20-trione, is a pregnane steroid related to cortisone (11-keto-17α,21-dihydroxyprogesterone) that ...

and

11β-hydroxyprogesterone 11β-Hydroxyprogesterone (11β-OHP), also known as 21-deoxycorticosterone, as well as 11β-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, is a naturally occurring, endogenous steroid and derivative of progesterone. It is a potent mineralocorticoid. Syntheses of 1 ...

are virtually devoid of

progestogen Progestogens, also sometimes written progestagens or gestagens, are a class of natural or synthetic steroid hormones that bind to and activate the progesterone receptors (PR). Progesterone is the major and most important progestogen in the body. ...

ic activity (although 11β-hydroxyprogesterone has been reported to possess about 1% of the progestogenic activity of progesterone), the progestogenic activity of BKP is restored and is in fact relatively high. In contrast, 9α-fluoro-11β-hydroxyprogesterone has much lower progestogenic activity with only about 8 times that of 11β-hydroxyprogesterone. In addition, whereas 9α-fluoro-11β-hydroxyprogesterone has pronounced

mineralocorticoid Mineralocorticoids are a class of corticosteroids, which in turn are a class of steroid hormones. Mineralocorticoids are produced in the adrenal cortex and influence salt and water balances (electrolyte balance and fluid balance). The primary mi ...

effects, BKP lacks such effects. BKP has been described as a weaker progestogen. It has been used at doses of as much as 300 mg

orally The word oral may refer to: Relating to the mouth * Relating to the mouth, the first portion of the alimentary canal that primarily receives food and liquid **Oral administration of medicines ** Oral examination (also known as an oral exam or oral ...

per day. In addition to its activity as a progestogen, BKP has glucocorticoid activity.

Pharmacokinetics

The

pharmacokinetics Pharmacokinetics (from Ancient Greek ''pharmakon'' "drug" and ''kinetikos'' "moving, putting in motion"; see chemical kinetics), sometimes abbreviated as PK, is a branch of pharmacology dedicated to determining the fate of substances administered ...

of BKP have been reviewed.

Chemistry

Synthesis

Chemical syntheses As a topic of chemistry, chemical synthesis (or combination) is the artificial execution of chemical reactions to obtain one or several products. This occurs by physical and chemical manipulations usually involving one or more reactions. In moder ...

of BKP have been published.

History

It was developed in the 1950s and, along with the testosterone derivatives ethisterone,

norethisterone Norethisterone, also known as norethindrone and sold under many brand names, is a progestin medication used in birth control pills, menopausal hormone therapy, and for the treatment of gynecological disorders. The medication is available in both ...

normethandrone Normethandrone, also known as methylestrenolone or methylnortestosterone and sold under the brand name Metalutin among others, is a progestin and androgen/anabolic steroid (AAS) medication which is used in combination with an estrogen in the tre ...

, and norethandrolone and the

progesterone Progesterone (P4) is an endogenous steroid and progestogen sex hormone involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis of humans and other species. It belongs to a group of steroid hormones called the progestogens and is the m ...

derivative

hydroxyprogesterone acetate Hydroxyprogesterone acetate (OHPA), sold under the brand name Prodox, is an orally active progestin related to hydroxyprogesterone caproate (OHPC) which has been used in clinical and veterinary medicine. It has reportedly also been used in bi ...

, was one of the first orally active

s to be developed. Similarly to various other progestogens, BKP has been studied in the treatment of breast cancer in women. Evaluated in 1959, it was the first oral progestin to be found effective in the treatment of breast cancer. It induced regression in 20% of women with advanced breast cancer at a dosage of 300 mg/day orally.

References

{{Progesterone receptor modulators Abandoned drugs Glucocorticoids Hormonal antineoplastic drugs Organobromides Pregnanes Progestogens Triketones