Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating or preventing bone degenerative disorders. The disorders treated or prevented include, for example, osteopenia, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, osteomyeloma, osteodystrophy, Paget's disease, osteogenesis imperfecta, and bone degenerative disorders associated with chronic renal disease, hyperparathyroidism, and long-term use of corticosteroids. The disclosed therapeutic methods include administering to a mammal an inhibitor of GDF-9 or BMP-15 in an amount effective to: (1) treat or prevent a bone degenerative disorder; (2) slow bone deterioration; (3) restore lost bone; (4) stimulate new bone formation; and/or (5) maintain bone mass and/or bone quality. The invention also provides methods for administering a GDF-9 agonist or a BMP-15 agonist to treat a bone disorder characterized by increased bone density or mass.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating estrogen receptor positive carcinoma in a mammal in need thereof which comprises administering an antineoplastic amount of 17(?-dihydroequilin or a mammalian metabolic conjugate thereof orally, parenterally, transdermally, topically, rectally, intravaginally, intranasally, or intrabronchially. As such, the compounds of this invention are useful in treating estrogen receptor positive carcinomas such as carcinomas of the breast, uterus, ovary, fallopian tube, cervix, vagina, liver, pituitary, central nervous system, hypothalamus, bone, skin, kidney, urethra, prostate, and the like.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating estrogen receptor positive carcinoma in a mammal in need thereof which comprises administering an antineoplastic amount of 17(&agr;-dihydroequilin or a mammalian metabolic conjugate thereof orally, parenterally, transdermally, topically, rectally, intravaginally, intranasally, or intrabronchially. As such, the compounds of this invention are useful in treating estrogen receptor positive carcinomas such as carcinomas of the breast, uterus, ovary, fallopian tube, cervix, vagina, liver, pituitary, central nervous system, hypothalamus, bone, skin, kidney, urethra, prostate, and the like.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating estrogen receptor positive carcinoma in a mammal in need thereof which comprises administering an antineoplastic amount of 17&agr;-dihydroequilin or a mammalian metabolic conjugate thereof orally, parenterally, transdermally, topically, rectally, intravaginally, intranasally, or intrabronchially. As such, the compounds of this invention are useful in treating estrogen receptor positive carcinomas such as carcinomas of the breast, uterus, ovary, fallopian tube, cervix, vagina, liver, pituitary, central nervous system, hypothalamus, bone, skin, kidney, urethra, prostate, and the like.