Description
Ketoconazole is a synthetic imidazole antifungal that also exhibits anti-androgen, anti-inflammatory, neuromodulatory, and anticancer chemotherapeutic activities. Ketoconazole is clinically used to treat fungal infections; it inhibits 14-α demethylase, preventing ergosterol production and cell wall synthesis. In clinical models of prostate cancer, ketoconazole decreases testosterone and cortisol production and inhibits androgen receptors, displaying potential chemotherapeutic benefit. In cellular models, ketoconazole activates Nrf2 and decreases production of IL-8 and TNF-α.