British Technology Group Limited

Susan E Barrie

Michael Jarman

Ian R Hardcastle

Gerard A Potter

Compounds of the general formula (1) ##STR1## wherein X represents the residue of the A, B and C rings of a asteroid, R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.14 represents a hydrogen atom and R.sup.15 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkoxy group of 1-4 carbon atoms, or a hydroxy or alkylcarbonyloxy group of 2 to 5 carbon atoms or R.sup.14 and R.sup.15 together represent a double bond, and R.sup.16 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in the form of the free bases or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts, are used for treatment of androgen-dependent disorders, especially prostatic cancer, and also oestrogen-dependent disorders such as breast cancer.

Method for preparing 17-substituted steroids useful in cancer treatment

Compounds of the general formula (1) ##STR1## wherein X represents the residue of the A, B and C rings of a steroid, R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.14 represents a hydrogen atom and R.sup.15 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkoxy group of 1-4 carbon atoms, or a hydroxy or alkylcarbonyloxy group of 2 to 5 carbon atoms or R.sup.14 and R.sup.15 together represent a double bond, and R.sup.16 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in the form of the free bases or phannaceutically acceptable acid addition salts, are useful for treatment of androgen-dependent disorders, especially prostatic cancer, and also oestrogen-dependent disorders such as breast cancer.

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Kent, United Kingdom

Susan E Barrie