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Megestrol acetate
Pronunciation
Definition 1
A drug used to treat advanced breast and endometrial cancer. It is also used to treat anorexia (loss of appetite) and cachexia (weakness and loss of body weight and muscle mass) in patients with AIDS. It is also being studied in the treatment of anorexia and cachexia in patients with cancer or other conditions. Megestrol acetate blocks the effects of the hormone estrogen in the body, which may help keep some cancer cells from growing. It may also improve appetite. Megestrol acetate is a type of progestin. Also called Megace. (NCI Dictionary)
Definition 2
The acetate salt form of megestrol, a synthetic derivative of the naturally occurring female sex hormone progesterone with potential anti-estrogenic and antineoplastic activity. Mimicking the action of progesterone, megestrol acetate binds to and activates nuclear progesterone receptors in the reproductive system, and causes the ligand-receptor complex to be translocated to the nucleus where it binds to and promotes expression of target genes. This leads to an alteration in protein synthesis, which modulates cell growth of reproductive tissues. Due to the negative feedback mechanism seen with progesterone, megestrol also blocks luteinizing hormone (LH) release from the pituitary gland, thereby leading to an inhibition of ovulation and an alteration in the cervical mucus and endometrium. Furthermore, without stimulation of LH, estrogen release from the ovaries is stopped, hence impedes the growth of estrogen-sensitive tumor cells. (NCI Thesaurus)
Definition 3
A drug used to block estrogen and suppress the effects of estrogen and androgens. It is used to treat breast and endometrial cancer, and is being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It is also used to improve appetite in patients with cancer. Megace belongs to the group of hormones called progestins. (NCI Dictionary)
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