Treatment for uterine fibroids: Searching for effective drug therapies

Uterine fibroids are common reproductive-age benign tumors that contribute to severe morbidity and infertility. Cumulative incidence is 4 times higher in African-Americans compared to Caucasians and constitutes a major health disparity challenge. Fibroids are the leading indication for hysterectomy and their management averages $21 billion annually in the US. No long term minimally invasive therapies exist. Thus, promising drug therapies, their chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical efficacy, focusing first on innovative drug delivery approaches, are reviewed.

► We present developments in seven drug classes typically used in fibroid therapy.
► Natural drug remedies are presented.
► Chemical and pharmacological drug properties are described.
► Drug side effects and clinical efficacy for fibroid therapy are reviewed.
► We present novel therapeutic interventions enabled by polymeric drug delivery systems.