Development of a biological screening system for the evaluation of highly active and selective 17β-HSD1-inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents

17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1) catalyses the intracellular conversion of oestrone (E1) to oestradiol (E2). E2 is known to be involved in the development and progression of breast cancer and endometriosis. Since 17β-HSD1 is overexpressed in these oestrogen-dependent diseases, inhibition of this enzyme may be a more target-directed therapeutical approach compared to established medical treatments. For the identification of highly active and selective 17β-HSD1-inhibitors that are suitable for application as potential therapeutics, there is a need for an appropriate, efficient and reliable screening system. Here, we report the development and application of our screening system using our in house library of potential 17β-HSD1-inhibitors. Four potent and selective compounds with a good first pharmacokinetic profile were identified.