Vitamin D analogues, medicinal composition containing the same and medical use thereof

The present invention relates to novel 1 alpha -hydroxy vitamin D derivatives in which the 17-position side chain carries an azide or optionally substituted 1,2,3-triazole group, including compounds of general formula (I) where R1 represents a methyl group having alpha - or beta -configuration; W represents a valence bond or a C1-5 alkylene group; X represents azide or an optionally substituted triazole group; and A= represents a cyclohexylidene moiety characteristic of the A-ring of a 1 alpha -hydroxylated vitamin D or analogue thereof. Active compounds of the invention exhibit cell modulating activity while exhibiting a substantial lack of calcaemic effect.