Abstract: New compounds of the formula ##STR1## where Y' represents hydroxy, protected-hydroxy, O-tosyl, O-mesyl, bromine, chlorine, or iodine and X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 may independently represent hydrogen or a hydroxy-protecting group are useful as intermediates for the production of 19-nor vitamin D derivatives, particularly 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3, from (-)quinic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides new 24, 26, and/or 27 homologated vitamin D.sub.2 compounds, such as 26,27-dihomo-1.alpha.-hydroxyvitamin D.sub.2, 26,27-dihomo-1.alpha.-hydroxy-24-epi-vitamin D.sub.2, 26,27-dihomo-1.alpha.,25-dihydroxy-24-epi-vitamin D.sub.2 and certain hydroxy-protected derivatives thereof. The new epi compounds in particular exhibit a distinctive activity pattern comprising high potency in stimulating intestinal calcium transport and little or no activity in inducing bone calcium mobilization or the differentiation of undifferentiated cells in culture, thereby evincing utility in the treatment of diseases characterized by loss of bone mass. In contrast, the natural form exhibits no activity in either mobilizing calcium from bone or stimulating intestinal calcium transport. A process for preparing such compounds is also disclosed.

Abstract: A birth control method for a female mammal which comprises administering to the mammal an amount of a vitamin D compound sufficient to block binding of progesterone to the progesterone receptor in said mammal.

Abstract: A convergent synthesis of 19-nor-vitamin D compounds, specifically 19-nor-1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3, is disclosed. The synthesis can also readily be utilized for preparing other 1.alpha.-hydroxylated 19-nor-vitamin D compounds. The key step in the synthesis is a suitable application of Lythgoe's procedure i.e. a Horner-Wittig reaction of the lithium anion of a phosphine oxide with a Windaus Grundmann ketone to give, after any necessary deprotection, the desired 19-nor-vitamin D compound.

Abstract: This invention provides novel vitamin D-related compounds characterized by extended unsaturated side chain structures. Such compounds exhibit increased activity in arresting the proliferation and promoting the differentiation of malignant cells with only minimal calcemic activity and thus represents new therapeutic agents applicable and uniquely useful in differentiation therapy of malignant diseases. The activity characteristics of these compounds provide the basis of a method for the treatment of neoplastic diseases, specifically leukemoid diseases.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel class of vitamin D-related compounds, namely the 1.alpha.-hydroxy-19-nor-vitamin D analogs, as well as a general method for their chemical synthesis. The compounds exhibit pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells, including malignant cells, and in inducing their differentiation, and thus represent novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of malignant and other diseases characterized by the proliferative growth of undifferentiated cells. Formulations for therapeutic use and treatment methods are also provided.

Abstract: A convergent synthesis of 19-nor-vitamin D compounds, specifically 19-nor-1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3, is disclosed. The synthesis can also readily be utilized for preparing other 1.alpha.-hydroxylated 19-nor-vitamin D compounds. The key step in the synthesis is a suitable application of Lythgoe's procedure i.e. a Horner-Wittig reaction of the lithium anion of a phosphine oxide with a Windaus Grundmann ketone to give, after any necessary deprotection, the desired 19-nor-vitamin D compound.

Abstract: The invention provides new 24, 26, and/or 27 homologated vitamin D.sub.2 compounds, such as 26,27-dihomo-1.alpha.-hydroxyvitamin D.sub.2, 26,27-dihomo-1.alpha.-hydroxy-24-epi-vitamin D.sub.2, 26,27-dihomo-1.alpha.,25-dihydroxy-24-epi-vitamin D.sub.2 and certain hydroxy-protected derivatives thereof. The new epi compounds in particular exhibit a distinctive activity pattern comprising high potency in stimulating intestinal calcium transport and little or no activity in inducing bone calcium mobilization or the differentiation of undifferentiated cells in culture, thereby evincing utility in the treatment of diseases characterized by loss of bone mass. In contrast, the natural form exhibits no activity in either mobilizing calcium from bone or stimulating intestinal calcium transport. A process for preparing such compounds is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides novel vitamin D-related compounds characterized by extended unsaturated side chain structures. Such compounds exhibit increased activity in arresting the proliferation and promoting the differentiation of malignant cells with only minimal calcemic activity and thus represents new therapeutic agents applicable and uniquely useful in differentiation therapy of malignant diseases. The activity characteristics of these compounds provide the basis of a method for the treatment of neoplastic diseases, specifically leukemoid diseases.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel class of vitamin D-related compounds, namely the 1.alpha.-hydroxy-19-nor-vitamin D analogs, as well as a general method for their chemical synthesis. The compounds exhibit pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells, including malignant cells, and in inducing their differentiation, and thus represent novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of malignant and other diseases characterized by the proliferative growth of undifferentiated cells. Formulations for therapeutic use and treatment methods are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel class of vitamin D-related compounds, namely the 1.alpha.-hydroxy-19-nor-vitamin D analogs, as well as a general method for their chemical synthesis. The compounds exhibit pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells, including malignant cells, and in inducing their differentiation, and thus represent novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of malignant and other diseases characterized by the proliferative growth of undifferentiated cells. Formulations for therapeutic use and treatment methods are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a new method of making secosterol compounds, and in particular to the preparation of 1.alpha.-hydroxy-homopregnacalciferol which is a secosterol compound that is effective in inducing the differentiation of malignant cells and is therefore useful for the treatment of malignancies such as leukemia.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel method for the preparation of optically active arylalykylsulfone derivatives, having a chiral center in the alkyl moiety in either the (R)- or the (S)-configuration. These optically active sulfones find use in the stereospecific synthesis of steroid or vitamin D compounds having chiral center at either carbon 24 or carbon 25 of the side chain. The method comprises the steps of reacting an optically active sulfinate ester having a chiral center at sulfur with a racemic alkyl Grignard reagent to obtain a mixture of diastereomeric sulfoxides, separating the mixture of diastereomeric sulfoxides, and oxidizing separately each of the diastereomers to obtain the desired optically active sulfone.

Abstract: New intermediate compounds that can be used effectively for the synthesis of a broad range of 1.alpha.-hydroxy-19-nor-vitamin D compounds. These novel intermediates are characterized by a group selected from hydroxy methyl (--CH.sub.2 OH), carboxaldehyde (--CHO), and carboxy ester (--COOAlkyl) at the carbon 22 position of the side chain of a 19-nor-vitamin D nucleus. Intermediates of this type are useful for the introduction of side chain units and thus represent important synthons for the preparation of many different 19-nor-vitamin D compounds.

Abstract: This invention provides novel side chain homologs of 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3 which exhibit enhanced and highly selective activity in inducing differentiation of malignant cells. It also provides a general method of synthesis applicable to the preparation of a variety of vitamin D side chain analogs, and a method of treatment of neoplastic diseases which takes advantage of the selective differentiation activity of the new vitamin D homologs.

Abstract: The invention provides a new vitamin D.sub.2 compound, 1.alpha.-hydroxy-24-epi-vitamin D.sub.2 and certain hydroxy-protected derivatives thereof. The new compound exhibits a distinctive activity pattern comprising high potency in stimulating intestinal calcium transport and little or no activity in inducing bone calcium mobilization or the differentiation of undifferentiated cells in culture, thereby evincing utility in the treatment of diseases characterized by loss of bone mass.

Abstract: This invention provides novel side chain homologs of 1.alpha.,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.sub.3 which exhibit enhanced and highly selective activity in inducing differentiation of malignant cells. It also provides a general method of synthesis applicable to the preparation of a variety of vitamin D side chain analogs, and a method of treatment of neoplastic diseases which takes advantage of the selective differentiation activity of the new vitamin D homologs.

Abstract: This invention provides novel 1.alpha.-hydroxyvitamin D compounds, methods for their preparation, and pharmaceutical compositions of these compounds. The new compounds, which are characterized structurally by having a cyclopentane ring as part of their side chains, exhibit highly pronounced biological activity, both in terms of their effect on calcium metabolism and their effect on differentiating malignant cells to normal cells. By virtue of their biological properties, the new vitamin D analogs are effective as calcium-regulating, or differentiation-inducing agents, and thus find application as therapeutic agents in the treatment or prophylaxis of bone-related as well as neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing vitamin D-related compounds and to certain intermediate compounds in such process. The intermediate compounds are characterized by an aldehyde or ester in the C-22 position in the side chain. The presence of such groups permit facile side chain additions for the preparation of vitamin D derivatives.