Description
Medroxyprogesterone 17-acetate (MPA) is a synthetic steroid that activates progesterone, androgen, and glucocorticoid receptors. MPA exhibits contraceptive and anticancer activities and is also used in hormone replacement therapy, endometriosis, and dysmenorrhea. MPA decreases levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and other hormones; it also inhibits 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. This compound is used clinically to treat breast cancer and inhibits the proliferation and growth of breast cancer cells and tumors in various models.