Carbazole derivatives with 17,20-lyase-inhibiting activity

This invention relates to substituted carbazole derivatives, to processes for their preparation, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to their use in medicine for the reduction of oestrogen and/or androgen levels. Particular compounds of the invention are compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-6alkyl group; each R2 may be the same or different and represents an electron-withdrawing group; each R3 may be the same or different and represents an electron-withdrawing group; R5 is a group of formula (a), (b) or (c); R6 is a halogen atom, a C1-6alkyl group or a C1-6alkoxy group; m is zero or an integer 1 to 4; n is zero or an integer 1 to 3; and p is zero, 1 or 2 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof.