2-propylidene-19-nor-vitamin D compounds are disclosed as well as
pharmaceutical uses for these compounds and methods of synthesizing these
compounds. These compounds are characterized by high bone calcium
mobilization activity and high intestinal calcium transport activity.
This results in novel therapeutic agents for the treatment and
prophylaxis of diseases where bone formation is desired, particularly
osteoporosis, as well as autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis,
diabetes mellitus and lupus. These compounds also exhibit pronounced
activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and
inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an
anti-cancer agent and for the treatment of skin diseases such as
psoriasis. These compounds also increase both breaking strength and
crushing strength of bones evidencing use in conjunction with bone
replacement surgery such as hip and knee replacements.