Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing estrogen-sensitive tumours in a mammal, said method comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an estrogenic component to said mammal, wherein the estrogenic component is selected from the group consisting of: substances represented by the following formula in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors. The estrogenic component according to the invention does not have undesirable proliferative effects on breast and/or endometrial tissue and displays sufficient estrogenicity to prevent that its administration will lead to hypoestrogenism and/or climacteric complaints.

Abstract: A process is provided for the making of estetrol starting from a 3-A-oxy-estra-1,3,5(10),15-tetraen-17-one, wherein A is an C1-C5 alkyl group, preferably a methyl group, or a C7-C12 benzylic group, preferably a benzyl group. This process is particularly suitable to industry.

Abstract: A process is provided for the making of estetrol starting from a 3-A-oxy-estra-1,3,5(10),15-tetraen-17-one, wherein A is an C1-C5 alkyl group, preferably a methyl group, or a C7-C12 benzylic group, preferably a benzyl group. This process is particularly suitable to industry.

Abstract: The present invention provides an orally disintegrating solid pharmaceutical dosage unit having a weight of 50-1,000 mg and containing at least 0.1 mg of an estetrol component selected from estetrol, estetrol esters and combinations thereof. This solid dosage unit consists of: 4-95 wt. % of granules consisting of: 3-80 wt. % of an estetrol component selected from estetrol, estetrol esters and combinations thereof; 20-97 wt. % C4-C12 sugar alcohol; 0-45 wt. % of one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients; and 5-96 wt. % of one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The solid dosage units of the present invention are particularly suited for sublingual, buccal or sublabial administration of the estetrol component.

Abstract: The present invention provides an orally disintegrating solid pharmaceutical dosage unit having a weight of 50-1,000 mg and containing at least 0.1 mg of an estetrol component selected from estetrol, estetrol esters and combinations thereof. This solid dosage unit consists of: 4-95 wt. % of granules consisting of: 3-80 wt. % of an estetrol component selected from estetrol, estetrol esters and combinations thereof; 20-97 wt. % C4-C12 sugar alcohol; 0-45 wt. % of one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients; and 5-96 wt. % of one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The solid dosage units of the present invention are particularly suited for sublingual, buccal or sublabial administration of the estetrol component.

Abstract: The present invention provides an orally disintegrating solid pharmaceutical dosage unit having a weight of 50-1,000 mg and containing at least 0.1 mg of an estetrol component selected from estetrol, estetrol esters and combinations thereof. This solid dosage unit consists of: 4-95 wt. % of granules consisting of: 3-80 wt. % of an estetrol component selected from estetrol, estetrol esters and combinations thereof; 20-97 wt. % C4-C12 sugar alcohol; 0-45 wt. % of one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients; and 5-96 wt. % of one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The solid dosage units of the present invention are particularly suited for sublingual, buccal or sublabial administration of the estetrol component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of estra-1,3,5(10)-trien-3, 15a, 16a, 1713-tetraol (estetr-01), via a silyl enol ether derivative 17-B-oxy-3-A-oxy-estra-1,3,5(10), 16-tetraene, wherein A is a protecting group and B is —Si(R2)3. The invention further relates to a process for the synthesis of 3-A-oxy-estra-1,3,5(10), 15-tetraen-17-one, in which A is a protecting group, via silyl enol ether derivative 17-B-oxy-3-A-oxy-estra-1,3,5(10),16-tetraene, and B is —Si(R2)3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing estrogen-suppressed tumors in a mammal, said method comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an estrogenic component to said mammal, wherein the estrogenic component is selected from the group consisting of: substances represented by the following formula in which formula R1, R2, R3, R4 independently are a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or an alkoxy group with 1-5 carbon atoms; precursors capable of liberating a substance according to the aforementioned formula when used in the present method; and mixtures of one or more of the aforementioned substances and/or precursors. The estrogenic component according to the invention is particularly useful in the treatment or prevention of colorectal and prostate cancer and, unlike commonly used estrogens, does not simultaneously enhance the risk of estrogen-stimulated cancers such as breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an orally disintegrating solid pharmaceutical dosage unit having a weight of 50-1,000 mg and containing at least 0.1 mg of an estetrol component selected from estetrol, estetrol esters and combinations thereof. This solid dosage unit consists of: 4-95 wt. % of granules consisting of: 3-80 wt. % of an estetrol component selected from estetrol, estetrol esters and combinations thereof; 20-97 wt. % C4-C12 sugar alcohol; 0-45 wt. % of one or more other pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients; and 5-96 wt. % of one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. The solid dosage units of the present invention are particularly suited for sublingual, buccal or sublabial administration of the estetrol component.