Leuprorelin acetate
[CAS# 74381-53-6]

Identification

• Classification: API >> Hormone and endocrine-regulating drugs >> Gonadotropin
• Name: Leuprorelin acetate
• Synonyms: Lupron; Leuprolide acetate
• Molecular Formula: C₅₉H₈₄N₁₆O₁₂.C₂H₄O₂
• Molecular Weight: 1269.45
• Protein Sequence: XHWSYLLRP
• CAS Registry Number: 74381-53-6
• EC Number: 686-285-8
• SMILES: CCNC(=O)[C@@H]1CCCN1C(=O)[C@H](CCCN=C(N)N)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(C)C)NC(=O)[C@@H](CC(C)C)NC(=O)[C@H](CC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H](CC3=CNC4=CC=CC=C43)NC(=O)[C@H](CC5=CN=CN5)NC(=O)[C@@H]6CCC(=O)N6.CC(=O)O

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS07;GHS08 Danger
• Risk Statements: H317-H332-H334-H360
• Safety Statements: P203-P233-P260-P261-P271-P272-P280-P284-P302+P352-P304+P340-P317-P318-P321-P333+P317-P342+P316-P362+P364-P403-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	1B	H360
Reproductive toxicity	Repr.	1A	H360
Respiratory sensitization	Resp. Sens.	1	H334
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H332

Discovery and Applications

Leuprorelin acetate, also known as leuprolide acetate, is a synthetic analogue of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). It was first synthesized in the 1970s by Takeda Chemical Industries in Japan. This discovery was significant as it introduced a new way to manage hormone-dependent conditions by regulating the production of sex hormones in the body. Leuprorelin acetate works by initially stimulating and then inhibiting the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), leading to a decrease in testosterone and estrogen levels. Its effectiveness and the ability to be administered via injection or implant have made it a valuable tool in various medical treatments.

One of the primary uses of leuprorelin acetate is in the treatment of prostate cancer. By reducing testosterone levels, it helps slow the growth of cancer cells. It is used as part of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), either alone or in combination with other treatments like radiation therapy. This hormone therapy can significantly improve survival rates and quality of life for patients with advanced prostate cancer.

For women suffering from endometriosis, leuprorelin acetate helps manage symptoms by lowering estrogen levels, which in turn reduces the growth of endometrial tissue. It can alleviate pain and reduce the size of endometrial lesions, providing relief for many patients who do not respond well to other treatments.

Leuprorelin acetate is effective in treating CPP, a condition where children experience early onset puberty. By delaying the progression of puberty, it allows children to achieve a more appropriate developmental timeline, which can contribute to better physical and psychological outcomes.

In women with uterine fibroids, leuprorelin acetate helps shrink the fibroids and reduce symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain. It is often used as a preoperative treatment to reduce the size of fibroids before surgery.

In fertility treatments, leuprorelin acetate is used to control the timing of ovulation, improving the chances of successful egg retrieval and fertilization. It helps synchronize the development of follicles, thereby increasing the effectiveness of procedures like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

References

1994. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome associated with the use of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist leuprolide acetate. Fertility and Sterility, 62(1).
DOI: 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)56839-3

2020. Advanced implantable drug delivery technologies: transforming the clinical landscape of therapeutics for chronic diseases. Biomedical Micro-Nanotechnologies Toward Translation.
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0187-7_14