CYP17A1, also known as cytochrome P450C17, is a steroidogenic enzyme belonging to the P450 cytochrome superfamily of monooxygenases. In humans, CYP17A1 expression is abundantly expressed in the adrenal cortex, where it plays a central role in the androgen synthesis pathway. CYP17A1 is the primary target of abiraterone, a synthetic steroid used in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer. Abiraterone is converted to the more active form D4A, which antagonizes androgen receptor signaling by inhibiting CYP17A1 and other steroidogenic enzymes. This suppresses the synthesis of 5α-dihydrotestosterone, which is a driver of castration-resistant prostate cancer cell growth.
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