Androgen derivatives for use in the inhibition of sex steroid activity

Abstract

Methods for treating sex steroid-dependent diseases by inhibiting sex steroid activity include administration of novel compounds which include an androgenic nucleus substituted at a ring carbon with at least one substituent specified herein. Such compounds may function by inhibiting sex steroid synthesis (both estrogen and androgen synthesis) and/or by antagonistically blocking androgen receptors.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novel inhibitors of sex steroid activity such as antiandrogen compounds having effective antagonistic capability while substantially lacking agonistic effects. More particularly, certain preferred embodiments of the invention relate to certain dihydrotestosterone analogs which have high affinity for androgen receptors but do not activate such receptors and/or which inhibit the production of sex steroids or their precursors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

During the treatment of certain sex steroid-dependent diseases, it is important to greatly reduce or, if possible, eliminate certain sex steroid-induced effects. For this purpose, it is desirable both to block receptor sites stimulated by sex steroids and also to reduce the amount of sex steroid available to act at these sites. For example, alternative or concurrent therapy to administration of antiandrogens could involve attempts to block the production of androgens such that none is available to activate receptor sites. However, prior art methods for blocking androgen production and/or reducing androgen concentration insufficiently inhibit androgen-induced functions. Moreover, it is possible that even in the total absence of androgen, unoccupied androgen receptors may be biologically active. Hence, antiandrogens may produce greater therapeutic results than therapy which only inhibits androgen production.

Antiandrogens may have a significant therapeutic effect in slowing or stopping the progress of androgen-dependent diseases such as prostate cancer. Known antiandrogens such as cyproterone acetate, spironolactone, flutamide and anandron have been used in clinical studies of androgen-responsive diseases. The nonsteroidal compounds flutamide and anandron are pure effective antiandrogens (i.e., do not activate androgen receptors), but cause an increase in serum concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (Neri and Peets, J. Steroid Biochem. 6, 815-819, 1975; Seguin et al., Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 21, 37-41, 1981; Neumann et Jacobi, In: Clinics in Oncology, Vol. 1, pp. 41-64, 1982, Ed. B. J. A. Furr, Eastbourne; W. B. Saunders). Moreover, nonsteroidal antiandrogens of the prior art possess a relatively low affinity for the androgen receptor (Simard et al., Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 44, 261-270, 1986). On the other hand, steroidal antiandrogens (i.e., cyproterone acetate and spironolactone), while having better receptor affinity, may possess intrinsic androgenic activity, thus undesirably functioning as agonists (Poyet and Labrie, Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 42, 283-288, 1985; Labrie, C. et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 28, 379-384, 1987; Luthy et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 31, 845-852, 1988; Plante et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 31, 61-64, 1988).

There is, therefore, a need in the art for antiandrogens which more effectively block peripheric androgen receptors with neither activity on central nervous system nor progestational, nor intrinsic androgenic or glucocorticoid activity.

Certain nonsteroidal compounds which are stated to have antiandrogenic effect are described by Furr et al., J. Endocr. 113, R7-R9, 1987.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,364, it is disclosed that the antiandrogen, 4'-nitro-3'-trifluoromethyl isobutyranilide may be used for treatment of prostatic cancer.

F. Labrie et al., The Prostate 4, 579-594, 1983, disclose that use of a combination therapy of an LHRH agonist (Buserelin) and an antiandrogen (Anandron) to treat advanced prostate cancer in previously untreated patients affects simultaneous elimination of androgens of both testicular and adrenal origin.

F. Labrie et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 19, 99-1007, 1983, disclose the treatment of prostate cancer by the combined administration of an LHRH agonist and an antiandrogen. Labrie et al. disclose animal and clinical data in support of the proposition that the combined LHRH/anti-androgen treatment neutralizes the stimulatory influence of all androgens on the development and growth of androgen-dependent prostatic cancer.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,695, a method of treatment of prostate cancer is disclosed for susceptible male animals including humans whose testicular hormonal secretions are blocked by surgical or chemical means, e.g., by use of an LHRH agonist, e.g., [D-Trp.sup.6, des-Gly-NH.sub.2.sup.10 ]LHRH ethylamide. The treatment includes administering an antiandrogen, e.g., flutamide in association with at least one inhibitor of sex steroid biosynthesis, e.g., aminoglutethimide and/or ketoconazole.

F. Labrie et al., in: Genitourinary Cancer, eds. T. L. Ratliff and W. J. Catalona, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Boston, pp. 157-200, 1987 and in: Important Advances in Oncology, eds. V. T. De Vita, S. Hellman and S. A. Rosenberg, J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, pp. 193-217, 1985 describe the role of peripheral formation of androgens from inactive adrenal steroid precursors and the need to use a pure antiandrogen for the treatment of androgen-sensitive diseases.

C. Labrie et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 28, 379-384, 1987, describe the potent stimulatory effect of the adrenal precursors dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione on the growth of the prostate in the rat.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,382 discloses a method of treating prostate cancer using the combination of an antiandrogen and an LHRH agonist.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,080, it is disclosed that new amide derivatives, and more particularly novel acylanilides, possess antiandrogenic properties.

In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,995,060, 4,161,540 and 4,139,638, it is disclosed that certain 4'-substituted and 3'-, 4'-disubstituted anilides have antiandrogenic properties.

EP Pat. No. 138 504, EP Pat. No. 166 509, EP Pat No. 124 369, EP Pat. No. 160 508, EP Pat. No. 163 416, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,732,912, 4,760,061, 4,751,240, 4,659,516 and Wakeling A. E. and Bowler J., J. Endocr. 112, R7-R10, 1987, and J. Steroid Biochem. 30, 141-147, 1988 disclose that certain long chain substitutions onto an estrogenic nucleus may result in compositions exhibiting antiestrogenic activity.

Chang et al., Biochemistry 21, 4102-4109, 1982, disclose the use of testosterone 17.beta.-hemisuccinyl-3,3'-diaminodipropylamine-Sepharose 4B in the purification of androgen receptor.

De Larminat et al., The Prostate 5: 123-140, 1984, disclose the use of dihydrotestosterone- and testosterone-7.alpha.-undecanoyl agarose in the purification of androgen receptor.

Gyorki et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 25, 355-358, 1986, and Macaulay and Warne, J. Steroid Biochem. 26, 535-538, 1987, disclose the use of 7.alpha.-carboxyethinyl testosterone linked to Sepharose 4B in the purification of androgen receptor.

Salman et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 26, 383-391, 1987, disclose the use of 17.alpha.-hexynyl nortestosterone Sepharose in the purification of androgen receptor.

Grunwell et al., Steroids 27, 759-771, 1976, and Solo et al., Steroids 40, 603-614, 1982, disclose the synthesis of a series of 7.alpha.-alkyltestosterone derivatives and describe their biological activities.

For a number of years, there has been search for compounds which can efficiently inhibit androgen and/or estrogen formation without causing adverse effects to healthy tissues. More particularly, the inhibition of 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, which is involved in the biosynthesis of testosterone, androst-5-ene-3.beta.,17.beta.-diol and estradiol, has been studied by some workers. Some affinity-label inhibitors for human placental estradiol 17.beta.-dehydrogenase have been described (C. C. Chin and J. C. Warren, J. Biol. Chem. 250, 7682-7686, 1975; Y. M. Bhatnagar et al., J. Biol. Chem. 253, 811-815, 1978; C. C. Chin et al., J. Biol. Chem. 255, 3660-3664, 1980; J. L. Thomas and R. C. Strickler, J. Biol. Chem. 258, 1587-1590, 1983).

B. Tobias et al., J. Biol. Chem. 257, 2783-2786, 1982 and R. J. Auchus and D. F. Covey, Biochemistry 25, 7295-7300, 1986 disclose, respectively, the use of 17.beta.-propynyl-substituted progestins and propynyl-substituted 3-hydroxy-14,15-secoestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one as inhibitors of the 17.beta.-estradiol dehydrogenase.

Thomas J. L. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 258, 11500, 1983 have described that 16-methylene estradiol and 16-methylene estrone are inhibitors of 17.beta.-HSD activity.

French patent publication number 2,528,434 relates to the pharmaceutical use of 11.beta.- and 2-substituted 19-nor-steroids.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide methods of inhibiting sex steroid activity. Such methods may be useful in the treatment of sex steroid-related diseases.

It is another object of the invention to provide a steroidal pure antiandrogen for therapeutic use.

It is another object of the invention to provide compositions capable of inhibiting sex steroid synthesis, especially androgen synthesis.

It is another object to provide an antiandrogen having good affinity for androgen receptors, but substantially lacking undesirable agonistic activity regarding these receptors and substantially lacking hormonal activity.

It is another object of the invention to provide a therapeutic anti-androgenic composition useful in the treatment of androgen-related diseases. These diseases include, but are not limited to, prostate cancer, acne vulgaris, hirsutism, precocious puberty, benign prostatic hyperplasia, seborrhea, androgenic alopecia and sexual deviants. Control of androgen activity may also be useful in male contraception.

It is another effect of the invention to provide inhibitors of sex steroid production useful in the treatment of both estrogen- and androgen-related diseases. Estrogen-related diseases include but are not limited to breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroma, precocious puberty and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of inhibiting sex steroid activity in a warm-blooded animal, including humans, comprising administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having an androgenic nucleus substituted at a ring carbon with at least one side chain represented by the formula --R.sup.1 [--B--R.sup.2 --].sub.x L--G wherein:

x is an integer from 0 to 6, wherein at least one of L and G is a polar moiety distanced from said ring carbon by at least three intervening atoms, and wherein:

R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently either absent or selected from the group consisting of straight- or branched-chain alkylene, straight- or branched-chain alkynylene, straight- or branched-chain alkenylene, phenylene, and fluoro-substituted analogs of the foregoing;

B is either absent or selected from the group consisting of --O--, --S--, --Se--, --SO--, --SO.sub.2 --, --NR.sup.3 --, --SiR.sup.3.sub.2 --, --CR.sup.3 OR.sup.3 --, --NR.sup.3 CO--, --NR.sup.3 CS--, --CONR.sup.3 --, --CSNR.sup.3 --, --COO--, --COS--, --SCO--, --CSS--, --SCS--, --OCO-- and phenylene (R.sup.3 being hydrogen or lower alkyl); L is either a moiety which together with G, forms a heterocyclic ring having at least one nitrogen atom or is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, --CONR.sup.4 --, --CSNR.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 CO--, --NR.sup.5 CS--, --NR.sup.5 CONR.sup.4 -- ##STR1## --SO.sub.2 NR.sup.4 --, --CSS--, --SCS--, --(NO)R.sup.4 --, --(PO)R.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 COO--, --NR.sup.5 SO.sub.2 --, --O--, --NR.sup.4 --, --S--, --SO--and --SO.sub.2 --(R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 being independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl; and R.sup.6 being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrile and nitro); and G is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)cycloalkyl, bromo(lower)alkyl, chloro(lower)alkyl, fluoro(lower)alkyl, iodo(lower)alkyl, cyano(lower)alkyl, carboxy(lower)alkyl, (lower)alkoxycarbonyl(lower)alkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.10)aryl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.11)arylalkyl, di(lower)alkylamino(lower)alkyl, fluoro-substituted analogs of the foregoing, and a moiety which together with L forms a heterocyclic ring having at least one nitrogen atom.

The invention further provides a method of inhibiting sex steroid activity in a warm-blooded animal, including humans, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound having, as part of its molecular structure, a substituted or unsubstituted nucleus of formula I: ##STR2## wherein the dotted lines represent optional double bonds; a is a carbon or oxygen atom; b is carbon or nitrogen atom; R.sup.10 and R.sup.13 are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl;

said compound further having, as a substituent to said nucleus in at least one position selected from the group consisting of 6.alpha., 7.alpha., 14.alpha., 15.alpha., 16.alpha., 17.alpha. and 17.beta., a side chain of the formula --R.sup.1 [--B--R.sup.2 --].sub.x L--G, wherein: x is an integer from 0 to 6, wherein L is separated from said androgenic nucleus by at least 3 atoms, and wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently either absent or selected from the group consisting of straight- or branched-chain alkylene, straight- or branched-chain alkynylene, straight- or branched-chain alkenylene, phenylene and fluoro-substituted analogs of the foregoing; B is either absent or selected from the group consisting of --O--, --S--, --Se--, --SO--, --SO.sub.2 --, --NR.sup.3 --, --SiR.sup.3.sub.2 --, --CR.sup.3 OR.sup.3 --, --NR.sup.3 CO--, --NR.sup.3 CS--, --CONR.sup.3 --, --CSNR.sup.3 --, --COO--, --COS--, --SCO--, --CSS--, --SCS--, --OCO--and phenylene (R.sup.3 being hydrogen or lower alkyl); L is either a moiety which together with G, forms a heterocyclic ring having at least one nitrogen atom or is selected from the group consisting of lower alkylene --CONR.sup.4 --, --CSNR.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 CO--, --NR.sup.5 CS--, --NR.sup.5 CONR.sup.4 --, ##STR3## --SO.sub.2 NR.sup.4 --, --CSS--, --SCS--, --(NO)R.sup.4 --, --(PO)R.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 COO--, --NR.sup.5 SO.sub.2 --, --O--, --NR.sup.4 --, --S--, --SO.sub.2 --, --SO-- and --SO.sub.2 -- (R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 being independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl; and R.sup.6 being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrile and nitro); and G is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)cycloalkyl, halo(lower)alkyl, carboxy(lower)alkyl, (lower)alkoxycarbonyl(lower)alkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.10)aryl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.11)arylalkyl, di(lower)alkylamino(lower)alkyl, fluoro-substituted analogs of the foregoing and a moiety which together with L forms a heterocyclic ring having at least one nitrogen atom.

As used herein, the term "sex steroid activity inhibitor" includes any compound which suppresses the activity of sex steroids by any mechanism including, for example, inhibition of sex steroid synthesis or antagonistic blocking of sex steroid receptors. "Androgen activity inhibitors" and "estrogen activity inhibitors" are sex steroid inhibitors capable of inhibiting the activity of androgens and estrogens, respectively. Inhibitors include, but are not limited to antiandrogens which block androgen receptors, thereby making them unavailable to androgen compounds which could otherwise activate those receptors. Androgen activity inhibitors also include compounds which inhibit the formation of compounds capable of activating androgen receptors such as inhibitors of production of natural androgens (e.g dihydrotestosterone) or inhibitors of production of precursors of natural androgens. One mechanism by which these androgen production inhibitors may operate is by blocking enzymes which catalyze production of natural androgens or their precursors (e.g. enzymes such as aromatase, 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 3.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 5.alpha.-reductase and the like).

As used herein, the term "androgenic nucleus" includes any compound which, in the absence of the side chain substituent specified herein, is capable of acting as an androgen as determined by a weight increase of at least 35 percent over a seven-day period of the prostates of castrated rats treated with the compound in question (15 milligrams twice daily per 100 grams of body weight) versus a control group of castrated rats. Treatment should start on the day of castration. The precise test, other than any parameters set forth in this paragraph, is that reported in Labrie et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 28, 379-384, 1987.

The present invention further provides for the treatment of sex steroid-related diseases by the methods of administering therapeutically effective amounts of sex-steroid activity inhibitors as disclosed herein (with or without pharmaceutical carriers or diluents). Sex steroid-related diseases include any disease whose onset, maintenance or progress is, at least in part, dependent upon biological activities induced by sex steroids such as androgens and estrogens. For example, androgen-dependent diseases include but are not limited to prostate cancer, acne vulgaris, hirsutism, precocious puberty, benign prostatic hyperplasia, seborrhea, androgen alopecia and sexual deviance. Control of androgenic activity may also be useful in male contraception.

The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a sex steroid activity inhibitor having an androgenic nucleus substituted at a ring carbon with at least one side chain represented by the formula --R.sup.1 [--B--R.sup.2 --].sub.x L--G wherein:

x is an integer from 0 to 6, wherein at least one of L and G is a polar moiety distanced from said ring carbon by at least three intervening atoms, and wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently either absent or selected from the group consisting of straight- or branched-chain alkylene, straight- or branched-chain alkynylene, straight- or branched-chain alkenylene, phenylene and fluoro-substituted analogs of the foregoing; B is either absent or selected from the group consisting of --O--, --S--, --Se--, --SO--, --SO.sub.2 --, --NR.sup.3 --, --SiR.sup.3.sub.2 --, --CR.sup.3 OR.sup.3 --, --NR.sup.3 CO--, --NR.sup.3 CS--, --CONR.sup.3 --, --CSNR.sup.3 --, --COO--, --COS--, --SCO--, --CSS--, --SCS--, --OCO--and phenylene (R.sup.3 being hydrogen or lower alkyl); L is either a moiety which together with G, forms a heterocyclic ring having at least one nitrogen atom or is selected from the group consisting of --CONR.sup.4 --, --CSNR.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 CO--, --NR.sup.5 CS--, --NR.sup.5 CONR.sup.4 --, ##STR4## --SO.sub.2 NR.sup.4 --, --CSS--, --SCS--, --(NO)R.sup.4 --, --(PO)R.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 COO--, --NR.sup.5 SO.sub.2 --, --O--, --NR.sup.4 --, --S--, --SO--and --SO.sub.2 --(R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 being independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl; and R.sub.6 being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrile and nitro); and G is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)cycloalkyl, halo(lower)alkyl, carboxy(lower)alkyl, (lower)alkoxycarbonyl(lower)alkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.10)aryl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.11)arylalkyl, di(lower)alkylamino(lower)alkyl, fluoro-substituted analogs of the foregoing and a moiety which together with L forms a heterocyclic ring having at least one nitrogen atom.

The invention further provides a sex steroid activity inhibiting compound having an androgenic nucleus substituted at a ring carbon with at least one side chain represented by the formula --R.sup.1 [--B--R.sup.2 --].sub.x L--G wherein:

x is an integer from 0 to 6, wherein at least one of L and G is a polar moiety distanced from said ring carbon by at least 8 atoms, and wherein: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently either absent or selected from the group consisting of straight- or branched-chain alkylene, straight- or branched-chain alkynylene, straight- or branched-chain alkenylene, phenylene and fluoro-substituted analogs of the foregoing; B is either absent or selected from the group consisting of --O--, --S--, --Se--, --SO--, --SO.sub.2 --, --NR.sup.3 --, --SiR.sup.3.sub.2 --, --CR.sup.3 OR.sup.3 --, --NR.sup.3 CO--, --NR.sup.3 CS--, --CONR.sup.3 --, --CSNR.sup.3 --, --COO--, --COS--, --SCO--, --CSS--, --SCS--, --OCO-- and phenylene (R.sup.3 being hydrogen or lower alkyl); L is either a moiety which together with G, forms a heterocyclic ring having at least one nitrogen atom or is selected from the group consisting of --CONR.sup.4 --, --CSNR.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 CO--, --NR.sup.5 CS--, --NR.sup.5 CONR.sup.4 --, ##STR5## --SO.sub.2 NR.sup.4 --, --CSS--, --SCS--, --(NO)R.sup.4 --, --(PO)R.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 COO--, --NR.sup.5 SO.sub.2 --,--O--, --NR.sup.4 --, --S--, --SO--and --SO.sub.2 -- (R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 being independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl; and R.sup.6 being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, nitrile and nitro); and G is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)cycloalkyl, halo(lower)alkyl, carboxy(lower)alkyl, (lower)alkoxycarbonyl(lower)alkyl, (C.sub.6 -C.sub.10)aryl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.11)arylalkyl, di(lower)alkylamino(lower)alkyl, fluoro-substituted analogs of the foregoing and a moiety which together with L forms a heterocyclic ring having at least one nitrogen atom.

The following conventions apply to structural formulae set forth herein. Unless specifically designated to the contrary, substituents may have either .alpha. or .beta. stereochemistry or, where valence permits may represent one substituent in a position and another in .beta. position. Presence of optional double bonds are independent of each other. All structures include salts thereof. Atoms of any androgenic nucleus for which no substituent is shown or described may optionally be substituted or unsubstituted so long as such substitution does not prevent the nucleus from functioning as an "androgenic nucleus" as defined herein. Those atoms having a defined substitutent may optionally be further substituted by other substituents where their valence permits such further substitution. As used herein, the term "lower", when describing a chemical moiety means a moiety having 8 or fewer atoms. For instance, a "lower alkyl" means a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl. Any moiety of more than two atoms may be straight- or branched-chain unless otherwise specified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating the antiandrogenic activity of one preferred antiandrogen of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating that the antiandrogen which is the subject of FIG. 1 is also a good inhibitor of sex steroid synthesis as compared to other known synthesis inhibitors.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the inhibitory effect of different concentrations of 17.beta.-hydroxy-17.alpha.-(12-iododecynyl)-4-androsten-3-one ("EM 150") on the activity of 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (an enzyme which catalyses various reactions involved in sex steroid synthesis).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred methods of treating of sex steroid-related diseases, especially androgen-related diseases, and preferred methods of blocking androgen receptors comprise administering to a patient in need of such treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of a sex steroid-activity inhibitors comprising an androgenic nucleus substituted with a side chain of the formula --R.sup.1 [--B--R.sup.2 --].sub.x L--G as defined above.

Preferred androgenic nuclei suitable for use in accordance with the invention are dihydrotestosterone and derivatives thereof, as well as testosterone and its derivatives. Other suitable androgenic nuclei include but are not limited to those which (as reported in the references set forth below) effect more than the threshold increase in prostate weight of castrated rats (Labrie C et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 28: 379-384, 1987; Labrie C et al., Endocrinology 123: 1412-1417, 1988; Plante et al., J. Steroid Biochem. 31: 64-74, 1988).

Some preferred androgenic nuclei are those of the general structure: ##STR6##

wherein R.sup.10 and R.sup.13 are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl.

In some preferred embodiments, a and b of structure I are carbon atoms or a is carbon and b is nitrogen. Preferably, the nucleus is substituted in the 17.beta. position with hydroxyl or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20)alkanoyloxy.

Other preferred androgenic nuclei have the structure: ##STR7##

wherein R.sup.10 and R.sup.13 are independently hydrogen or lower alkyl;

R.sup.17(.alpha.) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkanoyloxy, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, halo(lower)alkyl, halo(lower)alkenyl, halo(lower)alkynyl and fluoro-substituted aromatic ring.

R.sup.17(.beta.) is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20) alkanoyloxy, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)alkenoyloxy, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)alkynoyloxy, aroyloxy, alkenoyloxy, cycloalkenyloxy, 1-alkyloxy-alkyloxy, 1-alkyloxycycloalkyloxy, alkylsilyloxy, carboxyl, alkanoyl, or R.sup.17(.alpha.) and R.sup.17(.beta.) together are represented by the formula: ##STR8##

Other preferred androgenic nuclei have the structure: ##STR9## wherein: R.sup.17(.alpha.) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkanoyloxy, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, halo(lower)alkyl, halo(lower)alkenyl, halo(lower)alkynyl and fluoro-substituted aromatic ring.

R.sup.17(.beta.) is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20)alkanoyloxy, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)alkenoyloxy, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)alkynoyloxy, aroyloxy, alkenoyloxy, cycloalkenyloxy, 1-alkyloxy-alkyloxy, 1-alkyloxycycloalkyloxy, alkylsilyloxy, carboxyl, alkanoyl, or R.sup.17(.alpha.) and R.sup.17(.beta.) together are represented by the formula: ##STR10##

The AB-ring junction, in preferred embodiments, has trans configuration.

When sex steroid activity inhibitors are administered in accordance with the invention, they are preferably administered as a dosage from about 1 mg to about 2000 mg of active expedient (i.e. sex steroid activity inhibitor), per day per 50 kg of body weight, most preferably from about 10 mg to about 100 mg per day per kg of body weight.

The sex steroid activity inhibitors are preferably prepared as pharmaceutical compositions together with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and diluents. When prepared for parenteral injection, an inhibitor of sex steroid activity is preferably added at a concentration between about 1 mg/ml and about 100 mg/ml (preferably about 2 mg/ml to about 10 mg/ml) into a carrier preferably selected from the group consisting of saline, water, aqueous ethanol, aqueous dimethylsulfoxide and oil.

When a pharmaceutical composition of the invention is prepared for oral ingestion, the composition preferably included at least one inhibitor of sex steroid activity wherein the total concentration of all such inhibitors in said pharmaceutical composition is from about 1% to about 95% of the composition (by weight), and preferably from about 5% to about 20%. The composition preferably further includes a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, for example, starch or lactose with or without tartrazine. Slow release pharmaceutical products comprising the novel inhibitors of sex steroid activity may be incorporated into slow release pharmaceutical products which, other than addition of the novel inhibitors, may be prepared by known methods and administered orally as well as parenterally.

It is preferred that at least one side chain --R.sup.1 [--B--R.sup.2 --].sub.x L--G be substituted onto an androgenic nucleus at either the 6.alpha., 7.alpha., 14.alpha., 15.alpha., 16.alpha., 17.alpha. or 17.beta. position (for locating these positions. See structural formula I above). Especially preferred are the 15.alpha., 17.alpha. and particularly 7.alpha. positions. In the above side-chain structure, L is preferably separated from the androgenic nucleus by at least 3 intervening and preferably 6 atoms. A polar moiety (G, L or both) is preferably separated from the androgenic nucleus by at least 8 intervening atoms.

In certain embodiments of the invention, R.sup.17(.beta.) substituents are hydroxyl or one of its ester derivatives, such as acetate, oenanthate, cypionate and trans-4-n-butyl-cyclohexanecarboxylate. It is also preferred that the side chain R.sup.1 [--B--R.sup.2 --].sub.x L--G have between about 7 and 30 carbon atoms. In certain embodiments, therapeutic compositions may comprise one or more sex steroid activity inhibitors represented by the formula V below: ##STR11## wherein R.sup.10 is preferably absent, hydrogen or methyl in .beta. configuration, wherein R.sub.13 is hydrogen or lower alkyl. Other preferred sex steroid activity inhibitors include those of formula VI below (or its 17.beta.-ester derivatives) which illustrates one preferred side chain at the 7.alpha. position. ##STR12## wherein y is preferably an integer from 4 to 20; wherein L is preferably --CONR.sup.4 --, --CSNR.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 CO--, --NR.sup.5 CS-- or --CH.sub.2 --(R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 being hydrogen or methyl) and G is preferably n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl or halo(lower)alkyl;

wherein the AB-ring junction is preferably trans; and the dotted line represents an optional double bond; wherein R.sup.17(.beta.) is preferably hydroxyl or alkanoyloxy; wherein R.sup.17(.alpha.) is hydrogen or lower alkyl or R.sup.17(.alpha.) or R.sup.17(.beta.) together are represented by the formula: ##STR13## Structures V and VI represent preferred antiandrogens for use in the treatment of prostate cancer and other androgen-related diseases where the combination of androgen receptor blocking and androgen synthesis inhibition is desirable.

The inhibitors of sex steroid activity may be used in combination with surgical or chemical castration and/or other inhibitors of sex steroid activity, especially those which act upon other enzymes involved in synthesis of sex steroids or their precursors.

Another preferred androgen-activity inhibitor is one of the general formula V below (or its 17.beta.-ester derivatives) which illustrates that positions 10 and 13 (for locating these positions, see structural formula V above) are preferably methylated in the .beta. configuration, and that a 17.beta. hydroxyl is also preferred: ##STR14## wherein the AB-ring junction is trans, the dotted lines in the A-ring represents optional pi bonds; y is an integer from 4 to 20, L is selected from the group consisting of --CONR.sup.4 --, --CSNR.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 CR--, --NR.sup.5 CS-- or --CH.sub.2 --(R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 being hydrogen or methyl) and G either is n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl or haloalkyl.

EXAMPLES OF SYNTHESIS OF PREFERRED INHIBITORS OF SEX STEROID ACTIVITY

Instrumentation

The IR spectra were taken on a Perkin-Elmer 1310 spectrophotometer. Proton NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian EM-360A (60 MHz, when specified) or a Varian XL-200 (MHz) instrument. The following abbreviations have been used: s, singlet; d, doublet; dd, doublet of doublet; t, triplet; q, quadruplet; and m, multiplet. Chemical shifts are reported in .delta. values in ppm relative to tetramethysilane (TMS) as internal standard. Mass spectra (MS) were obtained on a V.G. Micromass 16F machine. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on 0.25 mm Kieselgel 6OF254 plates (E. Merck, Darmstadt, FRG). For flash chromatography, Merck-Kieselgel 60(230-400 mesh A.S.T.M.) was used. All solvents used in chromatography has been distilled. Unless otherwise note, starting material and reactant were obtained commercially and were used as such or purified by standard means. All solvents and reactants purified and dried were stored under argon. Anhydrous reactions were performed under an inert atmosphere, the set-up assembled and cooled under argon. Organic solutions were dried over magnesium sulfate, evaporated on a rotatory evaporator and under reduced pressure. Anhydrous solvents were prepared in the following way.

______________________________________SOLVENT DISTILLED OVER______________________________________AMINE, DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE CaH.sub.2 HEXANE, DICHLOROMETHANE P.sub.2 O.sub.5 ACETONE K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 BENZENE LiAlH.sub.4 TOLUENE Na ETHER, TETRAHYDROFURAN LiAlH.sub.4, Na Benzophenone______________________________________

EXAMPLE 1

Synthesis of N-butyl, N-methyl-11-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-7'.alpha.-yl) undecanamide (5, x=10) (Scheme 1) 17.beta.-acetoxy-7.alpha.-(11'-hydroxy undecanyl)-4-androsten-3-one (2)

Under argon atmosphere, in a flame dried apparatus with magnetic stirrer, a solution of 11-bromo undecanol tetrahydropyranyl ether (25 g, 74 mmol) in anhydrous THF (150 ml) was added dropwise to iodine-activated magnesium (1.9 g).The mixture was kept at room temperature overnight and then was cooled to -30.degree. C. and anhydrous cuprous chloride (0.3 g) was added quickly. After 45 min of stirring at this temperature, commercial 4,6-androstadien-17.beta.-ol-3-one acetate (1) (10 g, 30.5 mmol) in anhydrous THF (100 ml) was added dropwise during 4 h. After 35 min, acetic acid (6 ml) and water (100 ml) was added. The mixture was allowed to reach room temperature and was stirred overnight. Afterwards, the organic compound was extracted with ether (3X). The organic layers were washed with water, dried on magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The residue was dissolved in acetic acid (35 ml) and water (100 ml) and kept 48 h at room temperature. And then, the organic compounds were extracted with ether (3X). The organic layers were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried on magnesium sulfate and evaporated. The product was purified by Silica gel dry column chromatography (Kieselgel, 60F254, Merk, 0.063-0.200 mm, 150 g). Elution with a mixture of methylene chloride and ethyl acetate (20:1 v/v) gave 17.beta.-acetoxy-7.alpha.-(11'-hydroxy-undecanyl)-4-androsten-3-one (2a, 1.46 g, 2.8 mmol, 9.2%) as a colorless oil; IR .nu..sub.max neat 3450, 1740, 1685, 1620 and 1245 cm.sup.-1 ; NMR 0.84 (s, 3H, 18'-CH.sub.3), 1.21 (s, 3H, 19'-CH.sub.3), 2.05 (s,3H, OCOCH.sub.3), 3.61 (t, 2H, J=6.59 Hz, H-C.1'), 4.61 (t, 1H, J=7.69 Hz, H-C.17) and 5.73 (s, 1H, H-C.4) and 17.beta.-acetoxy-7.beta.-(11'-hydroxy undecanyl)-4-androsten-3-one (2b, 0.9 g, 1.7 mmol, 5.6%) as a colorless oil.

11-(17'.beta.-acetoxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-7'.alpha.-yl)undecanoic acid (3)

To 17.beta.-acetoxy-7.alpha.-(11'-hydroxy undecanyl)-4-androsten-3-one (2a, 800 mg, 1.6 mmol) dissolved in acetone (50 ml) and cooled to 0.degree. C. was added under stirring during 5 min, a solution of Jones' reagent (8N chromic acid solution) (0.283 ml). After 15 min, isopropanol (0.5 ml) was added followed by water and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3X). The organic layers were washed with brine, dried on magnesium sulfate and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. The crude 11-(17'.beta.-acetoxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-7'.alpha.-yl) undecanoic acid (3) (740 mg) was used in the next step without purification.

N-butyl, N-methyl-11-(17'.beta.-acetoxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-7'.alpha.-yl) undecanamide (4)

To a solution of the above undecanoic acid derivative 3 (390 mg, 0.78 mmol) in anhydrous methylene chloride (8 ml) cooled at -10.degree. C. was added, under stirring, triisobutylamine (240 .mu.l) and isobutylchloroformate (140 .mu.l). After 30 min, N-methylbutylamine (1.8 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. Methylene chloride was added. The organic solution was washed with 1N hydrochloric acid, water, saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and finally with water, dried on magnesium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (Kieselgel, 60F254, Merck, 0.063-0.200 mm, 20 g). Elution with a mixture of diethyl ether and methylene chloride (1:20, v/v) gave N-butyl, N-methyl-11-(17'.beta.-acetoxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-7'.alpha.-yl) undecanamide 4 (230 mg, 0.39 mmol, 46% for the alcohol (2a )) as a colorless oil; IR .mu..sub.max neat 1740, 1680, 1640 and 1240 cm.sup.-1 ; NMR 0.84 (s, 3H, 18'-CH.sub.3), 0.95 (t, 3H, J=6.93 Hz, N--(CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3), 1.21 (s, 3H, 19'-CH.sub.3), 2.04 (s, 3H, OCOCH.sub.3), 2.91 and 2.97 (2s, 3H, N--CH.sub.3), 3.26 and 3.36 (2t, 2H, J=7.86 Hz, N--CH.sub.2 C.sub.3 H.sub.7), 4.61 (t, 1H, J=8.42 Hz, H--C.17') and 5.72 (s, 1H, H--C.4').

N-butyl, N-methyl-11-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-7'.alpha.-yl) undecanamide (5) (EM 101)

The above acetoxy amide 4 (170 mg, 0.29 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (20 ml) and 6% potassium carbonate (2 ml) and heated at 65.degree. C. for 200 min. After cooling, acetic acid (1 ml) and water (150 ml) were added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (3.times.). The organic layers were washed with water, dried on magnesium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by Silica gel dry column chromatography (Kieselgel, 60F254, Merk, 0.063-0.200 mm, 20 g). Elution with a mixture of diethyl ether and methylene chloride (1:9, v/v) gave N-butyl-N-methyl-11-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-7'.alpha.-yl) undecanamide (EM 101, 94 mg, 0.17 mmol, 58%) as a colorless oil; IR .nu..sub.max (neat) 3400, 1670 and 1640 cm.sup.-1 ; NMR 0.80 (s, 3H, 18'--CH.sub.3), 0.95 (t,3H, J=6.75 Hz, N--(CH.sub.2).sub.3 CH.sub.3), 1.21 (s, 3H, 19'--CH.sub.3), 2.91 and 2.97 (2s, 3H, N--CH.sub.3), 3.25 and 3.35 (2t 2H, J=7.3Hz, N-CH.sub.2 C.sub.3 H.sub.7), 3.67 (t, 1H, J=8.18, H-C.17') and 5.72 (s, 1H, H-C.4').

N-butyl, N-methyl-11-(17'.beta.-benzoyloxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-7'.alpha.-yl) undecanamide (6)

The 17.beta.-alcohol 5 obtained previously (55 mg, 0.10 mmol) are dissolved in pyridine (1 ml) and benzoyl chloride (0.1 ml) and kept under stirring overnight at room temperature. Then, the mixture was poured in ice-water and extracted with ether (3.times.). The organic layers were washed with 1N HCl water, saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and finally with water, dried on magnesium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by Silica gel dry column chromatography (Kieselgel, 60F254, Merk, 0.063-0.200 mm, 10 g). Elution with a mixture of diethyl ether and methylene chloride (1:20 v/v) gave the N-butyl, N-methyl-11-(17.beta.-benzoyloxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-7'.alpha.-yl) undecanamide (6, R.dbd.C.sub.6 H.sub.5 CO) (45 mg, 0.07 mmol, 70%) as a colorless oil. ##STR15##

TABLE 1______________________________________Ester of N,N'-dialkyl-11- (17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-7'.alpha.-yl) alkylamide - x R R.sub.1 R.sub.2______________________________________14 H methyl n-butyl 14 CH.sub.3 CO methyl n-butyl 12 H methyl n-butyl 12 CH.sub.3 CO methyl n-butyl 10 H H n-butyl 10 H methyl 1H,1H-heptafluorobutyl 10 H methyl n-pentyl 10 C.sub.6 H.sub.3 CO methyl n-butyl 10 C.sub.2 H.sub.5 CO methyl n-butyl 10 trans-4-n-butyl-cyclo C.sub.6 H.sub.10 CO methyl n-butyl 10 cyclo C.sub.5 H.sub.9 --CH.sub.2 CO methyl n-butyl 8 H H n-butyl 8 H methyl n-butyl 8 CH.sub.3 CO methyl n-butyl 6 H methyl n-butyl 6 CH.sub.3 CO methyl n-butyl______________________________________

By analogous methods to those described above and using the same or other tetrahydropyranyloxy bromoalkane, the same or other dialkylamine and the same or other acid chloride, the following compounds, described in Table 1, are synthesized.

Efficacy of an Antiandrogen Synthesized in Accordance with Example 1

Compound 5 ("EM 101") shown in Scheme 1 above is itself an androgen activity inhibitor as well as intermediate in the synthesis of compounds 6. EM 101 has been tested both for efficacy in acting as an antiandrogen by blocking androgen receptors without substantially activating those receptors, and for efficacy in inhibiting 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, an enzyme which catalyzes reactions involved in the synthesis of both androgens and estrogens (hereinafter referred to as "17.beta.-HSD").

The efficacy of EM 101 as an antiandrogen is shown in FIG. 1. Human mammary cancer cells ZR-75-1 contain androgen receptors. They secrete the gross cystic disease fluid protein (GCDFP-15) and this secretion is stimulated by androgens. ZR-75-1 cells were seeded at 9000 cells/plate in multiwell dishes in medium containing 2% dextran-coated charcoal-treated fetal calf serum. Three days after plating, the medium was changed and the compounds to be tested were added to triplicate dishes. Increasing concentrations of EM 101 were added in medium containing 0.1 nM dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This concentration of DHT in the absence of antiandrogen causes about a 3-fold increase in GCDFP-15 secretion. Medium was changed every 2-3 days and collected after 12 days of incubation (48 hours after the last change). GCDFP-15 was measured by radioimmunoassay. Cells were collected and the total DNA content was measured by fluorometry. GCDFP-15 was expressed as pg GCDFP-15/.mu.g DNA. As shown in FIG. 1, increasing concentrations of EM 101 significantly inhibited the DHT-induced GCDFP-15 secretion, thus indicating an antiandrogenic action of EM 101 in this in vitro system.

To compare the effect of EM 101 to known inhibitors of 17.beta.-HSD (16-methylene-E.sub.1 and 16-methylene-E.sub.2), rat ovaries were homogenized in KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 (20 mM), EDTA (1 mM) and glycerol (20%) at pH 7.5, and 1000 g pellets were discarded. A reaction vessel was prepared containing 100 .mu.l of homogenate, NAD.sup.+ (1 mM), NADP.sup.+ (1 mM), [.sup.3 H] estradiol (10 mM), an inhibitor (either EM 101, 16-methylene E.sub.1 or 16-methylene-E.sub.2) at different concentrations indicated on the X-axis of FIG. 2, and the volume was completed to 1 ml with phosphate buffer [KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4 (12.5 mM), EDTA (1 mM) pH 7.5]. The reaction was allowed to proceed at 37.degree. C. for 20 min. After methylene chloride extraction (2X), the organic phase was dried on magnesium sulfate and evaporated under a stream of nitrogen. The residue was dissolved in methanol and separated by thin layer chromatography on aluminium-coated silica-gel plates (benzene acetone 4:1). Spots were cut, dissolved in ethanol and counted using Formula 963 as scintillation fluid. The conversion of estradiol (E.sub.2) into estrone (E.sub.1) (a 17.beta.-HSD-catalyzed reactions) was measured. As shown in FIG. 2, increasing concentrations of EM 101 inhibited this conversion more rapidly and completely than did the two known 17.beta.-HSD inhibitors 16-methylene-E.sub.1 and 16-methylene-E.sub.2.

EXAMPLE 2

Synthesis 17.beta.-hydroxy-17.alpha.-(.omega.-iodoalkynyl)-4-androsten-3-one (9) (Scheme 2) (.+-.)3,3-ethylenedioxy-17.beta.-tetrahydropyranyloxy-17.alpha.-ethynyl-5-androstene (8)

A mixture of ethisterone (7) (9.5 g, 30.4 mmol), ethylene glycol (3.34 g, 3 ml, 53.8 mmol) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (50 mg, 0.29 mmol) dissolved in 500 ml of dry benzene was refluxed (Dean-Stark) for 24 h under nitrogen. Then, a mixture of ether and dichloromethane (1:1, 1 L) was added and the resulting solution washed successively with sodium carbonate (2.times.100 ml, 5% aqueous) and with water (4.times.200 ml). The organic phase was dried, filtered and concentrated to dryness. The crude 3,3-ethylenedioxy-17.alpha.-ethynyl-5-androsten-17.beta.-ol (9.73 g, 90% of crude dioxolane) was used without any further purification in the next step.

A mixture of crude dioxolane (9.73 g, 27.3 mmol) in dry dichloromethane (500 ml), 2,3-dihydropyran (6.9 g, 7.5 ml, 82.2 mmol), and catalytic pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate (100 mg, 0.4 mmol) was stirred at room temperature for 36 h. Then, ether (500 ml) was added and the resulting solution was washed successively with sodium carbonate (2.times.100 ml, 5% aqueous) and with water (4.times.200 ml). The organic phase was dried, filtered and evaporated to give 12.74 g of crude material. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (hexane: acetone, 95:5) to give compound 7 (7.7 g, 58%); IR(KBr).nu. max: 3300 and 3230 (.tbd.C--H), 2090 (C.tbd.C) and 1150-980 (C--O) cm.sup.-1 ; .sup.1 H-NMR (60 MHz) 5.35-4.80 (2H,m,--C.dbd.CH--, --OCHOCH.sub.2 --), 3.88 (4H,s,--OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--), 2.50 (1H,s,--C.tbd.C--H), 1.00 (3H,s,19-CH.sub.3), 0.88 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70 eV): 440 (M.sup.+). Further elution gave the corresponding enone (2.94 g, 24%).

(.+-.)3,3-Ethylenedioxy-17.beta.-tetrahydropyranyloxy-17.alpha.-(5'-iodopentynyl)-5-androstene (8, n=3)

To a solution of butyllithium (2.84 ml of a 1.6 M solution in hexane, 4.5 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF, 30 ml) was added dropwise a solution of diprotected ethisterone 7 (500 mg, 1.13 mmol) in dry THF (10 ml) at -40.degree. C. The reaction mixture was then allowed to warm up to -10.degree. C. and stirred for 1 h. At this temperature, a solution of 1,3-di-iodopropane (1.61 g, 627 .mu.l, 5.4 mmol) in dry THF (5 ml) was added in one portion. The cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 h. Then, the solution was diluted with 100 ml of ether and was washed with water (6.times.30 ml), dried, filtered and concentrated to an oil. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (hexane: acetone, 95:5) followed by preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) (benzene: acetone, 95:5, Rf 0.68) to give compound 8 (n=3) (302 mg, 43%); 1H-NMR 5.35-4.80 (2H,m,--C.dbd.CH--, --OCHOCH.sub.2 --), 3.88 (4H,s,--OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--), 3.23 (2H,t,j=6.0 Hz,--CH.sub.2 I), 1.02 (3H,s,19-CH.sub.3), 0.89 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3).

17.beta.-Hydroxy-17.alpha.-(5'-iodopentynyl)-4-androsten3-one (9, n=3)

To a solution of the oily tetrahydropyranyl ethers 8 (n=3) (38 mg, 6.25.times.10-2 mmol) in ethanol (5 ml) was added oxalic acid (2 ml, 2% aqueous). The reaction mixture was heated at reflux for 2.5 h. Then, most of the ethanol was evaporated and the residue, transferred into a separatory funnel with ether (40 ml) and water (20 ml) was washed thoroughly with water. The ethereal phase was dried, filtered and concentrated to an oil. The residue was purified by preparative TLC (benzene: acetone, 95:5, Rf 0.26) to give 17.beta.-hydroxy-17.alpha.-(5'-iodopentynyl)-4-androsten-3-one (9, n=3) as colorless oil; IR (neat) .nu. max: 3600-3150 (OH), 2230 (C.tbd.C), 1660 (C.dbd.O) and 1610 (C.dbd.C) cm.sup.-1 ; .sup.1 H-NMR 5.74 (1H,s, --CH.dbd.C--), 5.29 (2H,t,J=6.6 Hz, --CH.sub.2 I), 1.20 (3H,s,19-CH.sub.3), 0.88 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70eV): 480 (M.sup.+).

(.+-.)3,3-Ethylenedioxy-17.beta.-tetrahydropyranyloxy-17.alpha.-(8'-iodooctynyl)-5-androstene (8, n=6)

The preparation of this derivative was done as described for alkyl iodide 8 (n=3) (vide supra) with the following quantities: acetylene 7 (570 mg, 1.29 mmol), butyllithium (2.07 ml of a 2.5 M solution in hexane, 5.17 mmol), 1,6-diiodohexane (2.1 g, 6.2 mmol), tetrahydrofuran (50 ml). The crude material was purified by flash chromatography (hexane: acetone, 95:5) to give compound 8 (n=6) (260 mg, 30.5%) as colorless oil; IR (neat) .nu. max 2220 (C.tbd.C) and 1150-980 (C--O) cm.sup.-1 ; .sup.1 H-NMR 5.35 (1H,m,--C.dbd.CH--), 5.15 and 4.94 (1H, 2m,--OCHOCH.sub.2 --), 3.95 (4H, m,--OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --), 3.50 (1H,m,--OCHOCHH--), 3.20 (2H,t,J=6,96 Hz,--CH.sub.2 I), 2.58 (1H,d of m, J=13.5 Hz,--OCHOCHH--),1.04 and 1.03 (3H, 2s,19-CH.sub.3), 0.88 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70eV): 650 (M.sup.+).

17.beta.-Hydroxy-17.alpha.-(8'-iodooctynyl)-4-androsten-3-one (9, n=6)

The hydrolysis of compound 8 (n=6) was done as described for tetrahydropyranyl ethers 8 (n=3) (vide supra) with the following quantities: tetrahydropyranyl ethers 8 (n=6) (24 mg, 3.69.times.10.sup.-2 mmol), oxalic acid (1.5 ml, 2% aqueous), ethanol (5 ml). The crude material was purified by preparative TLC (hexane: acetone, 9:1, Rf 0.17) to give 17.beta.-hydroxy-17.alpha.-(8'-iodooctynyl)-4-androsten-3-one (9, n=6) (18 mg, 93%) as colorless oil; IR (neat) .nu. max 3600-3150 (OH), 2225 (C.tbd.C), 1660 (C.dbd.O) and 1610 (C.dbd.C) cm.sup.1 ; .sup.1 H-NMR: 5.74 (1H,s,--CH.dbd.C--), 3.17 (2H,t,J=6.96 Hz, --CH.sub.2 I), 1.20 (3H,s,19-CH.sub.3), 0.88 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70eV): 522 (M.sup.+).

(.+-.)3,3-Ethylenedioxy-17.beta.-tetrahydropyranyloxy-17.alpha.-(12'-iodododecynyl)-5-androstene (8, n=10)

The preparation of this derivative was realized as described for alkyl iodide 8 (n=3) (vide supra) with the following quantities: acetylene 7 (500 mg, 1.13 mmol), butyllithium (2.84 ml of a 1.6 M solution in hexane, 4.54 mmol), 1,10-diiododecane (2.15 g, 5.45 mmol), tetrahydrofuran (45 ml). The crude material was purified by flash chromatography (hexane: acetone, 96:4) to give compound 8 (n=10) ##STR16## (208 mg, 26%) as colorless oil; IR (neat) .nu. max 2240 (C.tbd.C) and 1150-980 (C--O) cm.sup.-1 ; .sup.1 H-NMR: 5.36 (1H,m,--C.dbd.CH--), 5.18 and 4.97 (1H,2m,--OCHOCH.sub.2 --), 3.95 (4H,m,--OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--), 3.50 (1H,m,--OCHOCHH--), 3.19 (2H,t,J=6,96 Hz,--CH.sub.2 I), 2.58 (1H,m,--OCHOCHH--),1.04 and 1.03 (3H,2s,19-CH.sub.3), 0.88 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70eV): 706 (M.sup.+).

17.beta.-Hydroxy-17.alpha.-(12'-iodododecynyl)-4-androsten-3-one ("EM 150", 9, n=10)

The hydrolysis of compound 8 (n=10) was realized as described for tetrahydropyranyl ethers 8 (n=3) (vide supra) with the following quantities: tetrahydropyranyl ethers 3 (n=10) (100 mg, 0.14 mmol), oxalic acid (2 ml, 2% aqueous), ethanol (7 ml). The crude material was purified by column chromatography (toluene: acetone, 96:4) to give 17.beta.-hydroxy-17.alpha.-(12'-iodododecynyl-4-androsten-3-one) ("EM 150", 9, n=10) (63 mg, 77%) as colorless oil; IR (neat) .nu. max 3600-3150 (OH), 2225 (C.tbd.C), 1660 (C.dbd.O) and 1610 (C.dbd.C) cm.sup.-1 ; .sup.1 H-NMR 5.74 (1H,s,--CH.dbd.C--), 3.19 (2H,t,J=6.96 Hz, --CH.sub.2 I), 1.20 (3H,s,19-CH.sub.3), 0.88 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70eV): 578 (M.sup.+).

17.beta.-Hydroxy-17.alpha.-(10'-iododecynyl)-4-androsten-3-one (9, n=8)

To a solution of butyllithium (1.45 ml of a 2.5 M solution in hexane, 3.6 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF, 20 ml) was added dropwise a solution of diprotected ethisterone 7 (400 mg, 0.91 mmol) in dry THF (7 ml) at -40.degree. C. The reaction mixture was then allowed to stir for 1.5 h. At -35.degree. C., a solution of 1,8-diiodooctane (1.6 g, 870 .mu.l, 4.37 mmol) in dry THF (5 ml) was added in one portion. The cooling bath was removed and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 17 h. Then, the solution was diluted with 100 ml of ether and was washed with water (6.times.30 ml), dried, filtered and concentrated to yield a diasteromeric mixture of 3,3-ethylenedioxy-17.beta.-tetrahydropyranyloxy-17.alpha.-(10'-iododecynyl)-5-androstene (8, n=8) as an oil which was directly hydrolyzed.

To a solution of the oily tetrahydropyranyl ethers in ethanol (20 ml) was added aqueous oxalic acid (3 ml, 2% aqueous). The reaction mixture was heated at reflux for 2.5 h. Then, most of the ethanol was evaporated and the residue transferred into a separatory funnel with ether (100 ml) and was washed thoroughly with water. The ethereal phase was dried, filtered and concentrated to an oil. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (toluene:acetone, 97:3) to yield the 17.beta.-hydroxy-17.alpha.-(10'-iododecynyl)-4-androsten-3-one (9, n=8) (170 mg, 34%).

In a similar way, compounds 9 with n equals to 9, 11 and 12 were synthesized at respective yields of 30, 26 and 36% by using respectively diiodononane, diiodoundecane and diiodododecane as reagents.

Efficacy of Compounds Synthesized in Accordance with Example 2

Compound "EM 150" synthesized above has been tested and found to be an effective inhibitor of the activity of the 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, an enzyme which catalyzes reactions involved in the synthesis of both androgens and estrogens. In order to test this inhibition, the effect of the compound on 17.beta.-HSD conversion of estradiol to estrone was measured. The reaction was followed by monitoring the formation of NADH at 340 nm (the rate of conversion of the cofactor NAD to NADH varies directly with the rate of estradiol conversion to estrone). The ability of compounds of the invention to inhibit this reaction is indicative of their ability to inhibit the estrogen-forming reverse reaction and various androgen-forming reactions which are also catalyzed by 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Thomas J. L. et al., J. Biol. Chem. 258: 11500;11504, 1983). The 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17.beta.-HSD) was purified to homogeneity from human placenta. A reaction vessel was prepared containing 1 .mu.g 17.beta.-HSD, 5 mM NAD, 20 .mu.M 17.beta.-estradiol. The concentrations of the tested compound is indicated along the X-axis in FIG. 3 in 1.0 ml of a mixture of Tris-HCl (50 mM), EDTA (2 mM), NaN.sub.3 (5 mM). The pH was 7.5. The reaction was allowed to proceed at 25.degree. C. for 15 min. Formation of NADH was measured at 340 nm. As shown in FIG. 3, the compound EM 150 significantly decreases the activity of 17.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

EXAMPLE 3

Synthesis of N,N, dialkyl-.omega.-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'-yl)-(.omega.-1)-alkylamide (11) (Schema 3) Ethyl-7-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-6-heptynoate (10, n=3,R.dbd.CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3)

A. To a suspension of sodium hydride (55 mg (60% in mineral oil), 1.37 mmol) in dry THF (3 ml) was added dropwise diethylmalonate (274 mg, 260 .mu.l, 1.71 mmol) at 0.degree. C. The reaction mixture was warmed up to room temperature and was stirred 30 min. Then, this solution was added dropwise (using a seringe) to a solution of alkyl iodide 8 (n=3) (208 mg, 0.34 mmol) in THF (4 ml) and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 17 h. The reaction was diluted with ether (100 ml) and washed with water (5.times.30 ml), dried, filtered and concentrated to an oil. The residue was partly purified by flash chromatography (hexane: acetone, 9:1) to give 170 mg, 78% of the desired malonate contaminated with some diethylmalonate (as shown by .sup.1 H-NMR spectroscopy) which was used as such in the next step.

B. A solution containing the malonate (170 mg, 0.265 mmol), lithium chloride (225 mg, 5.3 mmol) and water (96 mg, 96 .mu.l, 5.3 mmol) in dimethylformamide (DMF, 7 ml) was stirred at 155.degree. C. for 20 h. Then, ethanol (5 ml) and oxalic acid (7 ml, 2% aqueous) were added and the resulting solution was heated at 90.degree. C. for 2 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with ether (100 ml) and washed thoroughly with water (7.times.30 ml). The ethereal phase was dried, filtered and concentrated to an oil. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (hexane: acetone, 4:1) to afford ethyl-7-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-6-heptynoate (10, n=3, R.dbd.CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3) (57 mg, 38%) as colorless oil; IR (neat) .nu. max 3600-3200 (OH), 1725 (C.dbd.O,ester), 1660 (C.dbd.O,enone) and 1610 (C.dbd.C) cm-.sup.-1 ; .sup.1 -NMR 5.73 (1H,s,--CH.dbd.C--), 4.11 (2H,q,J=6.96 Hz, --OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3), 1.24 (3H,t, J=6,96 Hz,--OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3), 1.20 (3H,s,19-CH.sub.3), 0.88 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70 eV): 440 (M.sup.+).

Ethyl-10-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-9-decynoate (10, n=6, R.dbd.CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3)

The preparation of this ester was realized as described for ester 10 (n=3) (vide supra) with the following quantities: A. alkyl iodide 8 (n=6) (130 mg, 0.2 mmol), sodium hydride (30 mg (60% in mineral oil, 0.75 mmol), diethylmalonate (132 mg, 125 .mu.l, 0.82 mmol), THF (7 ml), 25.degree. C., 12 h. The crude material was used as such in part B; B. crude malonate (0,2 mmol), lithium chloride (100 mg, 2.36 mmol), water (23 mg, 23 .mu.l, 1.27 mmol), DMF (7 ml), 155.degree. C., 20 h; and ethanol (5 ml), oxalic acid (7ml, 2% aqueous), 90.degree. C., 2h. The crude material was purified by preparative TLC (hexane: acetone, 4:1, Rf 0.25) to give ethyl-10-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-9-decynoate (10, n=6, R.dbd.CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3) (23 mg, 24%) as colorless oil; IR (neat) .nu. max 3650-3150 (OH), 2220 (C.tbd.C), 1722 (C.dbd.O,ester), 1660 (C.dbd.C,enone) and 1610 (C.dbd.C) cm.sup.-1 ; .sup.1 H-NMR 5.75 (1H,s,--CH.dbd.C--), 4.13 (2H,q,J=7.32 Hz, --OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3), 1.26 (3H,t,J=7.32 Hz,--OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3), 1.21 (3H,s,19-CH.sub.3), 0.89 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70eV): 482 (M.sup.+) along with 11 mg, 10% of the corresponding malonate (Rf 0.2).

Methyl-14-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-13-tetradecynoate (10, n=10, R.dbd.CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3)

The preparation of this ester was done as described for ester 10 (n=3) (vide supra) with the following quantities: A. alkyl iodide 8 (n=10) (150 mg, 0.21 mmol), sodium hydride (34 mg (60% in mineral oil), 0,85 mmol), dimethylmalonate (127 mg, 110 .mu.l, 1 mmol), THF (10 ml), 25.degree. C., 18 h; B. crude malonate (0,21 mmol), lithium chloride (182 mg, 4.3 mmol), water (77 mg, 77 .mu.l, 4.3 mmol), DMF (7 ml), 155.degree. C., 20 h; and ethanol (5 ml), oxalic acid (7 ml, 2% aqueous), 90.degree. C., 2 h. The crude material was purified by flash chromatography (hexane: acetone, 85:15) to give methyl-14-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-13-tetradecynoate (10, n=10, R.dbd.CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3) (47 mg, 42%) as colorless oil; IR (neat) .nu. max 3650-3150 (OH), 2225 (C.tbd.C), 1730 (C.dbd.O,ester), 1665 (C.dbd.O,enone) and 1610 (C.dbd.C) cm.sup.-1 ; .sup.1 H-NMR 5.74 (1H,s,--CH.dbd.C--), 3.67 (3H,s,--OCH.sub.3), 1.20 (3H,s, 19-CH.sub.3), 0.88 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70eV): 524 (M.sup.+).

N-butyl-N-methyl-7-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-ON-17'.alpha.-yl)-6-heptynamide (11, n=3)

A. The ethyl ester 10 (n=3, R.dbd.CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3) (30 mg, 6.8.times.10.sup.-2 mmol) was dissolved in dry ethanol (3 ml), anhydrous potassium carbonate (20 mg, 0.144 mmol) was added and the resulting solution allowed to stir under argon at room temperature overnight (16 h). The ethanol was evaporated, ether (20 ml) and water (5 ml) were added, and the mixture separated into neutral and alkali soluble fractions. The alkaline fraction was brought to pH2 with hydrochloric acid and extracted with ether (3.times.5 ml). The combined ethereal phases were washed with water (3.times.10 ml), dried, filtered and concentrated to give the crude acid which was immediately converted to the amide.

B. A solution of crude acid (6.8.times.10.sup.-2 mmol) in dry dichloromethane (5 ml) was treated with tributylamine (37.3 mg, 48 .mu.l, 0.2 mmol) and isobutyl chloroformate (27.4 mg, 26.mu.l, 0.2 mmol) at 0.degree. C. for 50 min. Then, N-methylbutylamine (35.3 mg, 48 .mu.l, 0.4 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred at 0.degree. C. for 50 min. The reaction mixture was diluted with ether (10 ml) and was washed successively with a solution of hydrochloric acid (2.times.5 ml, 1% aqueous) and with water (5.times.5 ml). The organic phase was dried, filtered and concentrated to an oil. The residue was purified by preparative TLC (benzene: acetone, 9:1, Rf 0.08) to give N-butyl-N-methyl-7-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-6-heptynamide (11, n=3) (15 mg, 46%) as colorless oil; IR (neat) .nu. max 3550-3200 (OH), 2220 (C.tbd.C), 1660 (C.dbd.O,enone) and 1635 (C.dbd.O,amide) cm.sup.-1 ; .sup.1 H-NMR 5.74 (1H,s, --CH.dbd.C--), 3.35 and 3.25 (2H,2t,J=7.32 Hz,--NCH.sub.2 --), 2.96 and 2.90 (3H,2s, --NCH.sub.3), 1.20 (3H,s,19-CH.sub.3), 0.95 (3H,t,J=6,6 Hz,-CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3), 0.88 (3H,s 18-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70eV):

N-butyl-N-methyl-10-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-decynamide (11, n=6)

The preparation of this amide was done as described for amide 11 (n=3) (vide supra) with the following quantities: A. ester 10 (n=6) (16.5 mg, 3.4.times.10.sup.-2 mmol), potassium carbonate (10 mg, 7.2.times.10.sup.-2 mmol), methanol (2 ml), room temperature, 2 h. The crude material was used as such in part B; B. crude acid (3.4.times.10.sup.-2 mmol), tributylamine (14 mg, 18 .mu.l, 7.5.times.10.sup.-2 mmol), isobutyl chloroformate (10.5 mg, 10 .mu.l, 7.7.times.10.sup.-2 mmol), dichloromethane (3 ml), 0.degree. C., 30 min.; N-methylbutylamine (14.7 mg, 20 .mu.l, 0.168 mmol), 0.degree. C., 50 min. The residue was purified by preparation TLC (hexane: acetone, 7:3, Rf 0.12) to give N-butyl-N-methyl-10-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-9-decynamide (11, n=6) (9.3 mg, 52%) as colorless oil; IR (neat) .nu. max 3600-3150 (OH), 2220 (C.tbd.C), 1660(C.dbd.O,enone) and 1630 (C.dbd.O,amide) cm.sup.-1 ; .sup.1 H-NMR 5.73 (1H,s, --CH.dbd.C--), 3.35 and 3.25 (2H,2t,J=7.32 Hz,--NCH.sub.2 --), 2.96 and 2.90 (3H,2s,NCH.sub.3), 1.20 (3H,s,19-CH.sub.3), 0.95 (3H,t,J=6,96 Hz,--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3), 0.88 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70 eV): 523 (M.sup.+) and the corresponding methyl ester (6.4 mg, 40%, Rf 0.22).

N-butyl-N-methyl-14-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-13-tetradecynamide (11, n=10)

A. To a solution of ester 10 (n=10) (24 mg, 4.58.times.10.sup.-2 mmol) in methanol (5 ml) was added sodium hydroxide (0.5 ml, 5% aqueous). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 45 min. Then, ether (30 ml) was added and the resulting solution was washed successively with hydrochloric acid (2.times.5 ml, 10% aqueous) and with water (4.times.10 ml). The ethereal phase was dried, filtered and concentrated to an oil. The residue was purified by preparative TLC (hexane: acetone, 7:3, Rf 0.24) to give 5.6 mg, 24% of acid. B. The preparation of the title amide was realized as described for amide 11 (n=3) (vide supra) with the following quantities: acid (5.6 mg, 1.1.times.10.sup.-2 mmol), tributylamine (14 mg, 18 .mu.l, 7.5.times.10.sup.-2 mmol), isobutyl chloroformate (10.4 mg, 10 .mu.l, 7.7.times.10.sup.-2 mmol), dichloromethane (3 ml), 0.degree. C., 30 min.; N-methylbutylamine (14.7 mg, 20 .mu.l, 0.168 mmol), 0.degree. C., 50 min. The residue was purified by preparative TLC (hexane: acetone, 7:3, Rf 0.35) to give N-butyl-N-methyl-14-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-13-tetradecynamide (11, n=10) (5.2 mg, 82%) as colorless oil; IR (neat) .nu. max 3600-3100 (OH), 2220 (C.dbd.C), 1660 (C.dbd.O,enone) and 1630 (C.dbd.O,amide) cm.sup.-1 ; .sup.1 H-NMR 5.74 (1H,s,--CH.dbd.C--), 3.36 and 3.26 (2H,2t,J=7.32 Hz,--NCH.sub.2 --), 2.97 and 2.91 (3H,2s,--NCH.sub.3), 1.20 (3H,s,18-CH.sub.3), 0.95 (3H,t,J=6,77 Hz,--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3), 0.88 (3H,s, 19-CH.sub.3); MS m/e (70eV): 579 (M.sup.+).

By analogous methods to those described and using the same ester starting material, the following syntheses are performed with rent amines, and resulting compounds are summarized in Table 2.

TABLE 2______________________________________N,N'- dialkyl-.omega.-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-17'.alpha.-yl)-(.omega.-1)-alkylamide 11 - #STR17## - n R.sub.1 R.sub.2______________________________________3 methyl n-butyl 3 H n-butyl 3 methyl 1H,1H-heptafluorobutyl 6 methyl n-butyl 6 H n-butyl 6 methyl 1H,1H-heptafluorobutyl 10 methyl n-butyl 10 H n-butyl 10 methyl 1H,1H-heptafluorobutyl______________________________________ ##STR18##

Claims

1. A compound represented by the formula: wherein the dotted line represents an optional pi bond, and

(i) R.sup.7.alpha. is (CH.sub.2).sub.y L--G wherein y is an integer from 4-20, L is selected from the group consisting of --CONR.sup.4 --, --CSNR.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 CS-- or --CH.sub.2 -- (R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 being H or methyl), and G is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and halo (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) alkyl,

R.sup.17.beta. is hydroxyl or alkanoyloxy, and

R.sup.17.alpha. is hydrogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) alkyl, or R.sup.17.beta. and

R.sup.17.alpha. together are represented by the formula ##STR19## (ii) R.sup.17.alpha. is --C.tbd.C--(CH.sub.2).sub.y --L--G, wherein y is an integer from 4-20, L is selected from the group consisting of --CONR.sup.4 --, --CSNR.sup.4 --, --NR.sup.5 CS-- or --CH.sub.2 -- (R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 being H or methyl), and G is selected from the group consisting lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and haloalkyl,

R.sup.17.beta. is a hydroxyl group or an ester derivative thereof,

R.sup.7.alpha. is hydrogen.

2. Compounds according to claim 1, represented by the formula: ##STR20## said compounds being selected from the following group:

______________________________________x R R.sub.1 R.sub.2______________________________________14 H methyl n-butyl 14 CH.sub.3 CO methyl n-butyl 12 H methyl n-butyl 12 CH.sub.3 CO methyl n-butyl 10 H H n-butyl 10 H methyl 1H,1H-heptafluorobutyl 10 H methyl n-pentyl 10 CH.sub.3 CO methyl n-butyl 10 C.sub.2 H.sub.5 CO methyl n-butyl 10 trans-4-n-butyl methyl n-butyl cyclo C.sub.6 H.sub.10 CO 10 cyclo C.sub.5 H.sub.9 --CH.sub.2 CO methyl n-butyl 8 H H n-butyl 8 H methyl n-butyl 8 CH.sub.3 CO methyl n-butyl 6 H methyl n-butyl 6 CH.sub.3 CO methyl n-butyl 10 H methyl n-butyl______________________________________

3. A compound represented by the formula: ##STR21## wherein the dotted lines represent optional carbon-carbon bonds; n is an integer from 1-14;

R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.20) alkanoyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.20) alkenoyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.20) alkynoyl, (C.sub.7 -C.sub.11) aryl and alkylsilyl; and

X is selected from the group consisting of halogen, --CN, a 3-9 membered nitrogen hetero ring and N(R.sup.7).sub.2 (R.sup.7 being hydrogen or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.8) alkyl).

4. A compound according to claim 3 represented by the formula: ##STR22## wherein n is an integer from 1 to 14.

5. Compounds according to claim 1 represented by the formula: ##STR23## said compounds being selected from the following group:

______________________________________n R.sub.1 R.sub.2______________________________________3 methyl n-butyl 3 H n-butyl 3 methyl 1H,1H-heptafluorobutyl 6 methyl n-butyl 6 H n-butyl 6 methyl 1H,1H-heptafluorobutyl 10 methyl n-butyl 10 H n-butyl 10 methyl 1H,1H-heptafluorobutyl.______________________________________

6. A compound selected from the group consisting of N-butyl, N-methyl- 11-(17'.beta.-hydroxy-4'-androsten-3'-on-7'.alpha.-yl) undecanamide, 17.beta.-hydroxy-17.alpha.-(12'-iodododecynyl)-4-androsten-3-one, and 17.beta.-hydroxy-17.alpha.-(5'-iodopentynyl)-4-androsten-3-one.

7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of claim 1.

8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of claim 3.

9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 6.

10. A method of treating prostate cancer comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 1.

11. A method of treating prostate cancer comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 3.

12. A method of treating prostate cancer comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 6.

13. A method for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 1.

14. A method for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 3.

15. A method for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 6.

16. A method for treating an androgen-related disease in a patient in need of such treatment comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 1.

17. A method for treating an androgen-related disease in a patient in need of such treatment comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 3.

18. A method for treating an androgen-related disease in a patient in need of such treatment comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 6.