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AS-601811 is a type 1 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that was investigated by Merck Serono for conditions related to androgen metabolism, such as acne, hirsutism, and male-pattern hair loss, but it was discontinued after Phase 1 trials.
- Investigated for potential use in acne, hirsutism, and male-pattern hair loss
Overview
Easy to confuse with the similarly-named JNK inhibitor AS602801 (bentamapimod); they are unrelated compounds with completely different targets, so don't mix them up.
Mechanism
AS-601811 inhibits the type 1 isoform of 5-alpha reductase (SRD5A1), the enzyme that converts testosterone into the more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By blocking this conversion, it was intended to lower local DHT levels in tissues like skin and hair follicles, similar in concept to approved 5-alpha reductase inhibitors used for hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
receptor fingerprint
5-alpha reductase type 1 (SRD5A1)Inhibitor
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
AS-601811 reached Phase 1 clinical trials before development was discontinued; no published efficacy or long-term human safety data is available. As a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, it would be expected to carry the general class cautions around reduced DHT levels (potential effects on libido, sexual function, and androgen-dependent processes), though this was not confirmed in published human studies for this specific compound.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Nothing to judge. It was dropped after Phase 1 with no published efficacy or safety results at all, so what remains is a mechanism that approved 5-alpha reductase inhibitors already cover better.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
What is AS-601811 used for?
It was investigated as a treatment for conditions linked to excess DHT, such as acne, hirsutism, and male-pattern baldness, but it was discontinued after Phase 1 trials and never marketed.
How does AS-601811 work?
It inhibits type 1 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, aiming to lower DHT levels in skin and hair follicle tissue.
Is AS-601811 well-researched?
No, published data is very limited; it only reached Phase 1 trials and there is no confirmed published efficacy or safety study specific to this compound.
Is AS-601811 the same as the JNK inhibitor AS602801?
No. Despite the similar name, AS-601811 is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor while AS602801 (bentamapimod) is an unrelated JNK inhibitor studied for different conditions.
Limitations of the evidence
- No published human efficacy or safety data exists
Notes and cautions
- Only reached Phase 1 trials before discontinuation
- General 5-alpha reductase inhibitor class effects (on DHT-dependent processes) would be theoretically expected but were not confirmed for this compound