| abstract |
Compounds of structure (I): <CHEM> in which the D ring has an optional double bond where indicated by the broken line; X is (1) keto or (2) hydrogen or OH; R<1> is H or C1-8alkyl; and R<2> is (1) alpha -H, alpha -OH or alpha -acetoxy and/or beta -W- @-R<3> where W is a bond or C1-12alkyl and R<3> is (i) C1-8alkyl, (ii) C1-8alkoxy, (iii) N(R<4>)2 where R<4> is H, alkyl, phenyl or together forms a ring; (2) =CHWCOR<3> or =CHWOR<5> where W and R<3> are as above and R<5> is, inter alia, phenylalkylcarbonyl, benzoyl, alkoxycarbonyl or aminocarbonyl, (3) alpha -H and beta -NHCOR<6> or (4) keto, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy to reduce prostate size. |