A synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen used in the treatment of menopausal and postmenopausal disorders. It was also used formerly as a growth promoter in animals. According to the Fourth Annual Report... According to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985), diethylstilbestrol has been listed as a known carcinogen.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Estrogens diffuse into their target cells and interact with a protein receptor, the estrogen receptor. Target cells include the female reproductive tract, the mammary gland, the hypothalamus, and the pituitary. The effect of Estrogen binding their receptors causes downstream increases the hepatic synthesis of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), thyroid-binding globulin (TBG), and other serum proteins and suppress follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary. The combination of an estrogen with a progestin suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary system, decreasing the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
- Primary indication
- Used in the treatment of prostate cancer.Curator reviewed
- Formula / weight
- C18H20O2 · 268.356 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2001
- Also known as
- Stilboestrol · trans-Diethylstilbesterol · trans-Diethylstilbestrol · trans-Diethylstilboesterol
- Code names
- RCRA waste number U089
Resolves to
RGLYKWWBQGJZGM-ISLYRVAYSA-NSMILESCC\C(=C(\CC)C1=CC=C(O)C=C1)C1=CC=C(O)C=C1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Diethylstilbestrol, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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