Compounds of structural formula (I) as herein defined are disclosed as
useful in a method for modulating the androgen receptor in a tissue
selective manner in a patient in need of such modulation, as well as in a
method of agonizing the androgen receptor in a patient, and in particular
the method wherein the androgen receptor is antagonized in the prostate of
a male patient or in the uterus of a female patient and agonized in bone
and/or muscle tissue. These compounds are useful in the treatment of
conditions caused by androgen deficiency or which can be ameliorated by
androgen administration, including: osteoporosis, periodontal disease,
bone fracture, bone damage following bone reconstructive surgery,
sarcopenia, frailty, aging skin, male hypogonadism, post-menopausal
symptoms in women, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia,
aplastic anemia and other hematopoietic disorders, pancreatic cancer,
renal cancer, arthritis and joint repair, alone or in combination with
other active agents. In addition, these compounds are useful as
pharmaceutical composition ingredients alone and in combination with other
active agents.