Compounds of the general formula (1>； <；IMAGE>； wherein X represents the residue of the A, B and C rings of a steroid, R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R<；14>； represents a hydrogen atom a halogen atom or an alkyl group of 1-4 carbon atoms and R<；15>； represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkoxy group of 1-4 carbon atoms, or a hydroxy or alkylcarbonyloxy group of 2 to 5 carbon atoms or together represent an oxo or methylene group or R<；14>； R<；15>； together represent a double bond and the other R<；15>； represent hydrogen or alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms, and R<；16>； represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in the form of the free bases or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts, with the proviso that 17-(3- pyridyl)androsta-5,14,16-trien-3 beta -o1 and 15 beta -acetoxy-17-(3-pyridyl)androsta-5, 15,dien-3 beta -o1 and their 3-acetates and 3 beta - methoxy-17-(3-pyridyl)androst-16-ene are claimed only for use in therapy are useful for treatment of androgen-dependent disorders, especially prostatic cancer, and also oestrogen-dependent disorders such as breast cancer.
