3-methylene steroid derivatives

This application is the 35 U.S.C. §371 filing of PCT/EP00/11787, filed Nov. 23, 2000. The invention concerns a 3-methylene steroid derivative having general formula (1) wherein Ris H or together with Rforms a -epoxide or Ris absent if there is a 5-10 or 4-5 double bond; Ris (C-C) alkyl or CF; Ris H, CHor together with Rforms a -epoxide or Ris absent if there is a 5-10 double bond; Ris H, lower alkyl; Y is [H, H], [OH, H], O, [OH, lower alkyl], [OH, (C2-C5)alkenyl], [OH, (C-C)alkynyl] or (C-C) alkylidene, whereby said alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and alkylidene is optionally halogenated; NOR, whereby Ris H, lower alkyl; dotted lines represent an optional double bond, or prodrugs thereof for the treatment of arthritic diseases and/or autoimmune diseases.