Abstract: The invention provides compounds for use as medicaments, which act by inhibiting CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 enzymes. The compounds have particular application in the treatment of cancer especially prostate cancer and breast cancer. The compounds have the formula: [Chem.

Abstract: The invention provides pharmacophores for use in the design, screening and identification of inhibitors of CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 enzymes. A preferred pharmacophore has a spatial arrangement of atoms as shown in the accompanying FIG. 1, wherein: ?A represents hydrogen bond acceptors; ?D represents hydrogen bond donors; and ?R represents aromatic rings. Compounds conforming to the preferred pharmacophore are provided for use as medicaments in the treatment of cancer, especially prostate cancer and breast cancer. By way of example, these compounds include N-(4-ethylphenyl)-5-(2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoyl)-2-imino-2H-pyran-3-carboxamide and 2-(4-sulfamoylphenoxy) ethyl 2-amino-3-methylbenzoate. Also provided are methods for the treatment of prostate cancer and breast cancer using the compounds of the invention as well as their salts, solvates, hydrates, primary metabolites and prodrugs. Methods of inhibiting CYP17A1 and CYP19A1, and hence of inhibiting androgen activity in a subject, are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds for use as medicaments, which act by inhibiting CYP17A1 and CYP19A1 enzymes. The compounds have particular application in the treatment of cancer especially prostate cancer and breast cancer. The compounds have the formula: [Chem.