| abstract |
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) in which formula X is hydrogen or hydroxy; R?1 and R2¿, which may be the same or different, stand for hydrogen or C¿1?-C4 hydrocarbyl; or R?1 and R2¿, taken together with the carbon atom bearing the group X, can form a C¿3?-C8 carbocyclic ring; Q is a single bond or a C1-C4 hydrocarbylene diradical; R?1, R2¿ and/or Q may be optionally substituted with one or more fluorine atoms; and prodrugs of formula (I) in which one or more of the hydroxy groups are masked as groups which can be reconverted to hydroxy groups in vivo. The compounds show antiinflammatory and immunomodulating effects as well as strong activity in inducing differentiation and inhibiting undesirable proliferation of certain cells. |