19-oxygenated steroids as therapeutic agents

The present invention provides compounds and methods of inducing a variety of therapeutic responses in a subject in need of such treatment. The method includes administering a compound of Formula (I) he specification; and wherein said compound of Formula (I) is ethylenically unsaturated at a set of locations selected from the group consisting of (a) between C4 and C5; (b) both between C3 and C4 and between C5 and C6; (c) between C5 and C6; (d) both between C4 and C5 and between C6 and C7; (e) both between C3 and C4 between C5 and C6 and between C7 and C8; (f) both between C4 and C5 and between C7 and C8; and (g) both between C5 and C6 and between C7 and C8. The compounds of Formula (I) are administered in an amount effective to induce the desired therapeutic response.