Estetrol
Skeletal formula of estetrol
Ball-and-stick model of the estetrol molecule
Names
IUPAC name
Estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,15α,16α,17β-tetrol
Systematic IUPAC name
(1R,2R,3R,3aS,3bR,9bS,11aS)-11a-Methyl-2,3,3a,3b,4,5,9b,10,11,11a-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-1,2,3,7-tetrol
Other names
Oestetrol; E4; 15α-Hydroxyestriol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ECHA InfoCard 100.276.707
KEGG
UNII
  • C[C@]12CC[C@H]3[C@H]([C@@H]1[C@H]([C@H]([C@@H]2O)O)O)CCC4=C3C=CC(=C4)O
Properties
C18H24O4
Molar mass 304.386 g/mol
1.38 mg/mL
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Estetrol (E4), or oestetrol, is one of the four natural estrogenic steroid hormones found in humans, along with estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). Estetrol is a major estrogen in the body.[1][2] In contrast to estrone and estradiol, estetrol is a native estrogen of fetal life. Estetrol is produced exclusively by the fetal liver[1] and is found in detectable levels only during pregnancy, with relatively high levels in the fetus and lower levels in the maternal circulation.[1][2]

In addition to its physiological role as a native hormone, estetrol can be used as a medication, see estetrol (medication). Estetrol, in combination with drospirenone, has recently been approved as a new estrogenic component of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) and estetrol alone is in clinical development for the treatment of menopausal symptoms as well as breast and prostate cancer.

Biological function

So far, the physiological function of estetrol remains unknown. The potential role of estetrol as a marker for fetal well-being has been studied quite extensively, but no correlation was found[3] due to the large intra- and inter-individual variation in maternal estetrol plasma levels during pregnancy.[4][5][6][7]

Biological activity

Estetrol has a moderate affinity for estrogen receptors alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ), with Ki values of 4.9 nM and 19 nM, respectively.[8][9] As such, estetrol has 4- to 5-fold preference for ERα over ERβ.[8][9] In different animal models, the potency of estetrol regarding its estrogenic effect observed in vivo is generally 10 to 20 times lower than the potency of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and is also lower than the potency of estradiol.[1][8] Estetrol displays a highly selective binding to its primary targets ERα and ERβ,[8][9] which ensures that estetrol has a low risk of non-specific side effects.

Selected biological properties of endogenous estrogens in rats
EstrogenERTooltip Estrogen receptor RBATooltip relative binding affinity (%)Uterine weight (%)UterotrophyLHTooltip Luteinizing hormone levels (%)SHBGTooltip Sex hormone-binding globulin RBATooltip relative binding affinity (%)
Control–100–100–
Estradiol (E2)100506 ± 20+++12–19100
Estrone (E1)11 ± 8490 ± 22+++ ?20
Estriol (E3)10 ± 4468 ± 30+++8–183
Estetrol (E4)0.5 ± 0.2 ?Inactive ?1
17α-Estradiol4.2 ± 0.8 ? ? ? ?
2-Hydroxyestradiol24 ± 7285 ± 8+b31–6128
2-Methoxyestradiol0.05 ± 0.04101Inactive ?130
4-Hydroxyestradiol45 ± 12 ? ? ? ?
4-Methoxyestradiol1.3 ± 0.2260++ ?9
4-Fluoroestradiola180 ± 43 ?+++ ? ?
2-Hydroxyestrone1.9 ± 0.8130 ± 9Inactive110–1428
2-Methoxyestrone0.01 ± 0.00103 ± 7Inactive95–100120
4-Hydroxyestrone11 ± 4351++21–5035
4-Methoxyestrone0.13 ± 0.04338++65–9212
16α-Hydroxyestrone2.8 ± 1.0552 ± 42+++7–24<0.5
2-Hydroxyestriol0.9 ± 0.3302+b ? ?
2-Methoxyestriol0.01 ± 0.00 ?Inactive ?4
Notes: Values are mean ± SD or range. ER RBA = Relative binding affinity to estrogen receptors of rat uterine cytosol. Uterine weight = Percentage change in uterine wet weight of ovariectomized rats after 72 hours with continuous administration of 1 μg/hour via subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps. LH levels = Luteinizing hormone levels relative to baseline of ovariectomized rats after 24 to 72 hours of continuous administration via subcutaneous implant. Footnotes: a = Synthetic (i.e., not endogenous). b = Atypical uterotrophic effect which plateaus within 48 hours (estradiol's uterotrophy continues linearly up to 72 hours). Sources: See template.

Mode of action

Tissue-selective effect

Estetrol shows selective estrogenic, neutral or anti-estrogenic activities in certain cell types and tissues.[9][10][11] In rodent models, estetrol has shown to elicit potent estrogenic activity on ovulation,[12] brain,[13] bone tissue,[14] cardiovascular system,[15] and uterus, associated with ovulation inhibition, prevention of bone demineralization, cardioprotective effects and maintenance of uterovaginal tissues, respectively.[15][16]

Data from preclinical studies also suggest that estetrol has anti-estrogenic like effects on the breast and a limited impact on normal or malignant breast tissue when used at therapeutic concentration.[11][17] This property of estetrol is associated with antagonistic effects on breast cell proliferation, migration and invasion in the presence of estradiol.[11][18]

The molecular mechanisms of action driving its tissue-selective actions rely on a specific profile of ERα activation, uncoupling nuclear and membrane activation.

In the liver, Estetrol has a neutral activity, which is reflected by a minimal impact on synthesis of hepatic coagulation factors, minimal impact on sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) synthesis and limited impact on lipid parameters, including triglycerides.[19]

Estetrol can therefore be described as the first Native Estrogen with Selective Tissue activity (NEST).[20][21]

Differences vs SERMs

The selective tissue activity of estetrol is different from the effects of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), like tamoxifen and raloxifene.[22] Estetrol, like SERMs, has selective tissue activity. However, SERMs interact with the ligand binding domain of ERα in a manner that is distinct from that of estrogens, including estetrol.[22] Estetrol recruits the same co-regulators as other estrogens, while SERMs recruit other co-regulators.[21]

ERα activation

Estrogens can elicit their effects via nuclear ERα and/or membrane ERα signaling pathways. Estetrol presents a distinctive mode of action in terms of ERα activation. Like other estrogens, estetrol binds to, and activates the nuclear ERα to induce gene transcription. However, estetrol induces very limited activity via membrane ERα in several tissues (e.g. in the breast) and antagonizes this pathway in the presence of estradiol, thereby uniquely uncoupling nuclear and membrane activation.[15]

Biochemistry

Biosynthesis

In the fetal liver, estetrol is synthesized from estradiol (E2) and estriol (E3) by two fetal liver enzymes, 15α- and 16α-hydroxylase, through hydroxylation.[23][24][25][26] Estetrol can be detected in maternal urine from the 9th week of gestation.[2][27][28] After birth, the neonatal liver rapidly loses its capacity to synthesize estetrol. During the second trimester of pregnancy, high levels of estetrol can be found in maternal plasma, with steadily rising concentrations of unconjugated estetrol to about 1 ng/mL (>3 nM) towards the end of pregnancy. Fetal plasma levels have been reported to be over 10 times higher than maternal plasma levels at parturition.[1]

Distribution

In terms of plasma protein binding, estetrol displays moderate binding to albumin, and shows no binding to SHBG.[29][30] The overall low plasma protein binding results in a ~50% free active fraction.[29] This compares to a 1% active form for EE and ~2% for estradiol.[31] Estetrol is equally distributed between red blood cells and plasma.[3]

Metabolism

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes do not play a major role in the metabolism of estetrol.[8] Instead, estetrol undergoes extensive phase 2 metabolism in the liver to form glucuronide and sulphate conjugates.[8][10][32][33] The two main metabolites, estetrol-3-glucuronide and estetrol-16-glucuronide, have negligible estrogenic activity.[32][33] (see Drospirenone/estetrol)

Excretion

Estetrol is mainly excreted in urine.[8][10] Estetrol is an end-stage product of metabolism, which is not converted back into active metabolites like estriol, estradiol or estrone.[9][29]

Chemistry

Estetrol, also known as 15α-hydroxyestriol or as estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,15α,16α,17β-tetrol, is an estrane steroid and derivative of estrin (estratriene).[8][34] It is structurally different from the other estrogens because of the presence of four hydroxyl groups, which explains the abbreviation E4.[8][34]

Synthesis

Estetrol itself is a naturally-produced estrogen by the human fetal liver. However, for human use, estetrol is synthesized from estrone, which is obtained from phytosterols extracted from soybeans. The synthesis of estetrol results in very pure estetrol (>99.9%)[35] without contaminants.

History

Estetrol was first described in 1965 by Egon Diczfalusy and coworkers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden,[36][23][24][37] who identified and isolated this novel, native estrogen from late pregnancy urine and from the urine of newborn infants. Basic research on estetrol was conducted from 1965 to 1984.[1][2] It was established that estetrol is exclusively synthesized in the human fetal liver. Since 1984, further research was virtually abandoned because estetrol was regarded as a weak and unimportant pregnancy estrogen.[1][2] In 2001 Herjan Coelingh Bennink at Pantarhei Bioscience in the Netherlands re-started the investigation of estetrol as a potentially useful natural estrogen for human use,[1] resulting in the introduction of E4 as the estrogenic component of a combined oral contraceptive in 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Holinka CF, Diczfalusy E, Coelingh Bennink HJ (May 2008). "Estetrol: a unique steroid in human pregnancy". The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 110 (1–2): 138–143. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2008.03.027. PMID 18462934. S2CID 28007341.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Yen SS, Jaffe RB, eds. (1991). Reproductive Endocrinology: Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management (3rd ed.). Copyright Elsevier/Saunders. pp. 936–981.
  3. 1 2 Fruzzetti F, Fidecicchi T, Montt Guevara MM, Simoncini T (November 2021). "Estetrol: A New Choice for Contraception". Journal of Clinical Medicine. 10 (23): 5625. doi:10.3390/jcm10235625. PMC 8658652. PMID 34884326.
  4. ↑ Heikkilä J, Luukkainen T (June 1971). "Urinary excretion of estriol and 15 alpha-hydroxyestriol in complicated pregnancies". American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 110 (4): 509–21. doi:10.1016/0002-9378(71)90692-2. PMID 5582006.
  5. ↑ Tulchinsky D, Frigoletto FD, Ryan KJ, Fishman J (April 1975). "Plasma estetrol as an index of fetal well-being". The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 40 (4): 560–7. doi:10.1210/jcem-40-4-560. PMID 805156.
  6. ↑ Kundu N, Grant M (June 1976). "Radioimmunoassay of 15alpha-hydroxyestriol (estetrol) in pregnancy serum". Steroids. 27 (6): 785–96. doi:10.1016/0039-128x(76)90138-0. PMID 941193. S2CID 54373667.
  7. ↑ Kundu N, Wachs M, Iverson GB, Petersen LP (September 1981). "Comparison of serum unconjugated estriol and estetrol in normal and complicated pregnancies". Obstetrics and Gynecology. 58 (3): 276–81. PMID 7266946.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Coelingh Bennink HJ, Holinka CF, Diczfalusy E (2008). "Estetrol review: profile and potential clinical applications". Climacteric. 11 (Suppl 1): 47–58. doi:10.1080/13697130802073425. PMID 18464023. S2CID 24003341.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Visser M, Foidart JM, Coelingh Bennink HJ (2008). "In vitro effects of estetrol on receptor binding, drug targets and human liver cell metabolism". Climacteric. 11 (Suppl 1): 64–68. doi:10.1080/13697130802050340. PMID 18464025. S2CID 11027782.
  10. 1 2 3 Mawet M, Maillard C, Klipping C, Zimmerman Y, Foidart JM, Coelingh Bennink HJ (2015). "Unique effects on hepatic function, lipid metabolism, bone and growth endocrine parameters of estetrol in combined oral contraceptives". The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care. 20 (6): 463–475. doi:10.3109/13625187.2015.1068934 (inactive 1 August 2023). PMC 4699469. PMID 26212489.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of August 2023 (link)
  11. 1 2 3 Gérard C, Blacher S, Communal L, Courtin A, Tskitishvili E, Mestdagt M, et al. (January 2015). "Estetrol is a weak estrogen antagonizing estradiol-dependent mammary gland proliferation". The Journal of Endocrinology. 224 (1): 85–95. doi:10.1530/JOE-14-0549. PMID 25359896.
  12. ↑ Coelingh Bennink HJ, Skouby S, Bouchard P, Holinka CF (March 2008). "Ovulation inhibition by estetrol in an in vivo model". Contraception. 77 (3): 186–190. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2007.11.014. PMID 18279689.
  13. ↑ Pluchino N, Santoro AN, Casarosa E, Giannini A, Genazzani A, Russo M, et al. (September 2014). "Effect of estetrol administration on brain and serum allopregnanolone in intact and ovariectomized rats". The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 143: 285–290. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2014.04.011. PMID 24787659. S2CID 21359519.
  14. ↑ Coelingh Bennink HJ, Heegaard AM, Visser M, Holinka CF, Christiansen C (2008-01-01). "Oral bioavailability and bone-sparing effects of estetrol in an osteoporosis model". Climacteric. 11 (sup1): 2–14. doi:10.1080/13697130701798692. PMID 18464016. S2CID 42275885.
  15. 1 2 3 Abot A, Fontaine C, Buscato M, Solinhac R, Flouriot G, Fabre A, et al. (October 2014). "The uterine and vascular actions of estetrol delineate a distinctive profile of estrogen receptor α modulation, uncoupling nuclear and membrane activation". EMBO Molecular Medicine. 6 (10): 1328–1346. doi:10.15252/emmm.201404112. PMC 4287935. PMID 25214462.
  16. ↑ Benoit T, Valera MC, Fontaine C, Buscato M, Lenfant F, Raymond-Letron I, et al. (November 2017). "Estetrol, a Fetal Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator, Acts on the Vagina of Mice through Nuclear Estrogen Receptor α Activation". The American Journal of Pathology. 187 (11): 2499–2507. doi:10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.07.013. PMID 28827141.
  17. ↑ Gallez A, Blacher S, Maquoi E, Konradowski E, Joiret M, Primac I, et al. (May 2021). "Estetrol Combined to Progestogen for Menopause or Contraception Indication Is Neutral on Breast Cancer". Cancers. 13 (10): 2486. doi:10.3390/cancers13102486. PMC 8160902. PMID 34065180.
  18. ↑ Giretti MS, Montt Guevara MM, Cecchi E, Mannella P, Palla G, Spina S, et al. (2014-05-26). "Effects of Estetrol on Migration and Invasion in T47-D Breast Cancer Cells through the Actin Cytoskeleton". Frontiers in Endocrinology. 5: 80. doi:10.3389/fendo.2014.00080. PMC 4033260. PMID 24904530.
  19. ↑ Klipping C, Duijkers I, Mawet M, Maillard C, Bastidas A, Jost M, Foidart JM (April 2021). "Endocrine and metabolic effects of an oral contraceptive containing estetrol and drospirenone". Contraception. 103 (4): 213–221. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2021.01.001. PMID 33428907. S2CID 231585130.
  20. ↑ Gérard C, Jost M, Oligschläger Y, Foidart JM (2021). "Estetrol, a natural estrogen with selective tissue activity (NEST). Poster Abstract". International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 155: 127–532.
  21. 1 2 Gérard C, Arnal JF, Jost M, Douxfils J, Lenfant F, Fontaine C, et al. (February 2022). "Profile of estetrol, a promising native estrogen for oral contraception and the relief of climacteric symptoms of menopause". Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology. 15 (2): 121–137. doi:10.1080/17512433.2022.2054413. PMID 35306927. S2CID 247583084.
  22. 1 2 Garefalakis M, Hickey M (2008-03-07). "Role of androgens, progestins and tibolone in the treatment of menopausal symptoms: a review of the clinical evidence". Clinical Interventions in Aging. 3 (1): 1–8. doi:10.2147/CIA.S1043. PMC 2544356. PMID 18488873.
  23. 1 2 Schwers J, Eriksson G, Diczfalusy E (April 1965). "15a-hydroxylation: A new pathway of estrogen metabolism in the human fetus and newborn". Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. 100: 313–6. doi:10.1016/0304-4165(65)90464-2. PMID 14323645.
  24. 1 2 Schwers J, Govaerts-Videtsky M, Wiqvist N, Diczfalusy E (December 1965). "Metabolism of oestrone sulphate by the previable human foetus". Acta Endocrinologica. 50 (4): 597–610. doi:10.1530/acta.0.0500597. PMID 5897909.
  25. ↑ Mancuso S, Benagiano G, Dell'Acqua S, Shapiro M, Wiqvist N, Diczfalusy E (February 1968). "Studies on the metabolism of C-19 steroids in the human foeto-placental unit. 4. Aromatisation and hydroxylation products formed by previable foetuses perfused withandrostenedione and testosterone". Acta Endocrinologica. 57 (2): 208–27. doi:10.1530/acta.0.0570208. PMID 4229819.
  26. ↑ Strauss JF, Barbieri RL (2009). Yen and Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology: Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Clinical Management. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 262. ISBN 978-1-4160-4907-4.
  27. ↑ Heikkilä J, Adlercreutz H (September 1970). "A method for the determination of urinary 15α-hydroxyestriol and estriol: Preliminary results of 15α-hydroxyestriol determinations in pregnancy urine". Journal of Steroid Biochemistry. 1 (3): 243–253. doi:10.1016/0022-4731(70)90020-8.
  28. ↑ Heikkilä J (February 1971). "Excretion of 15α-hydroxyestriol and estriol in maternal urine during normal pregnancy". Journal of Steroid Biochemistry. 2 (83–93): 83–93. doi:10.1016/0022-4731(71)90012-4.
  29. 1 2 3 Visser M, Holinka CF, Coelingh Bennink HJ (2008). "First human exposure to exogenous single-dose oral estetrol in early postmenopausal women". Climacteric. 11 (Suppl 1): 31–40. doi:10.1080/13697130802056511. PMID 18464021. S2CID 23568599.
  30. ↑ Hammond GL, Hogeveen KN, Visser M, Coelingh Bennink HJ (2008). "Estetrol does not bind sex hormone binding globulin or increase its production by human HepG2 cells". Climacteric. 11 (Suppl 1): 41–46. doi:10.1080/13697130701851814. PMID 18464022. S2CID 22715507.
  31. ↑ Stanczyk FZ, Archer DF, Bhavnani BR (June 2013). "Ethinyl estradiol and 17β-estradiol in combined oral contraceptives: pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and risk assessment". Contraception. 87 (6): 706–727. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2012.12.011. PMID 23375353.
  32. 1 2 "Nexstellis Label" (PDF). FDA. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  33. 1 2 "Drovelis Label" (PDF). EMA. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  34. 1 2 Visser M, Coelingh Bennink HJ (March 2009). "Clinical applications for estetrol" (PDF). The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 114 (1–2): 85–89. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2008.12.013. PMID 19167495. S2CID 32081001.
  35. ↑ Warmerdam EG, Visser M, Coelingh Bennink HJ, Groen M (2008). "A new route of synthesis of estetrol". Climacteric. 11 (Suppl 1): 59–63. doi:10.1080/13697130802054078. PMID 18464024. S2CID 42017011.
  36. ↑ Hagen AA, Barr M, Diczfalusy E (June 1965). "METABOLISM OF 17β-OESTRADIOL-4-14C IN EARLY INFANCY". Acta Endocrinologica. 49 (2): 207–220. doi:10.1530/acta.0.0490207. PMID 14303250.
  37. ↑ Zucconi G, Lisboa BP, Simonitsch E, Roth L, Hagen AA, Diczfalusy E (November 1967). "Isolation of 15-alpha-hydroxy-oestriol from pregnancy urine and from the urine of newborn infants". Acta Endocrinologica. 56 (3): 413–423. doi:10.1530/acta.0.0560413. PMID 6072461.
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