Novel compounds

Abstract

A compound of formula (I): wherein X represents O or S; R 1 represents C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkylmethyl or C 3-8 cycloalkenyl any of which optionally may be substituted by one or more methyl groups or halogen atoms or R 1 represents aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl or substituted heteroaryl; R 2 represents hydrogen, methyl, which may be in either the α or β configuration, or methylene; R 3 and R 4 are the same or different and each independently represents hydrogen, halogen or a methyl group; and represents a single or a double bond; or a physiologically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, and pharmaceutical formulations and methods of use thereof.

1 . A method of treatment of a human subject with skin disease, an inflammatory bowel condition, an auto-immune disease, conjunctivitis, nasal polyps, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease or fibrosis, which method comprises administering to said human an effective amount of 6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-17α-(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropylcarbonyl)oxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carboxylic acid cyanomethyl ester or a physiologically acceptable solvate thereof. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the skin disease is selected from the group consisting of eczema, psoriasis, allergic dermatitis, neurodermatitis, pruritis and hypersensitivity reactions. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the skin disease is allergic dermatitis. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inflammatory bowel condition is ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the auto-immune disease is rheumatoid arthritis. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step administering to said human an effective amount of 6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-17α-(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropylcarbonyl)oxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carboxylic acid cyanomethyl ester or a physiologically acceptable solvate thereof, is via oral, buccal, sublingual, parenteral, local or rectal administration. 
   
   
       7 . The method of any one of  claim 2 , wherein the step administering to said human an effective amount of 6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-17α-(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropylcarbonyl)oxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carboxylic acid cyanomethyl ester or a physiologically acceptable solvate thereof, is via oral, buccal, sublingual, parenteral, local or rectal administration. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step administering to said human an effective amount of 6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-17α-(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropylcarbonyl)oxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carboxylic acid cyanomethyl ester or a physiologically acceptable solvate thereof, is via oral, buccal, sublingual, parenteral, local or rectal administration. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step administering to said human an effective amount of 6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-17α-(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropylcarbonyl)oxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carboxylic acid cyanomethyl ester or a physiologically acceptable solvate thereof, is via oral, buccal, sublingual, parenteral, local or rectal administration. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step administering to said human an effective amount of 6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-17α-(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropylcarbonyl)oxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carboxylic acid cyanomethyl ester or a physiologically acceptable solvate thereof, is via oral, buccal, sublingual, parenteral, local or rectal administration.