How do androgen synthesis inhibitors work?

Androgen synthesis inhibitors specifically target the production of androgens, which are hormones such as testosterone that can promote the growth of certain types of cancer, particularly prostate cancer. By stopping the adrenal glands from producing androgens, these inhibitors effectively reduce the levels of these hormones in the body. This reduction can lead to decreased stimulation of androgen receptors in cancer cells, thereby slowing or even stopping cancer growth.

This mechanism is crucial for conditions where androgens play a significant role in disease progression. By directly targeting the source of androgen production, these inhibitors offer a therapeutic approach to manage hormone-sensitive cancers. Other options, while related to the function of hormones, do not accurately describe the primary action of androgen synthesis inhibitors. For instance, degrading androgen receptors or preventing androgens from binding does not address the production aspect, and blocking estrogen receptors pertains to a different hormonal pathway, which is not the focus of androgen synthesis inhibitors.