Coumarins as novel 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 inhibitors for potential treatment of prostate cancer

The synthesis and SAR studies of 3- and 4-substituted 7-hydroxycoumarins as novel 17β-HSD3 inhibitors are discussed. The most potent compounds from this series exhibited low nanomolar inhibitory activity with acceptable selectivity versus other 17β-HSD isoenzymes and nuclear receptors.