Anti-cancer compositions and methods

• US 9,096,505 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2013
• Issued: 08/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
• Original Assignee: Penn State Research Foundation
• Inventors: Robertson, Gavin P., Sharma, Arati K., Sharma, Arun K., Amin, Shantu G., Desai, Dhimant H.
• Primary Examiner(s): JEAN-LOUIS, SAMIRA JM
• Application Number:
  US13/785,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20130184339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/095 Sulfur, selenium, or tellurium compounds, e.g. thiols
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/21 Esters, e.g. nitroglycerine, selenocyanates
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/26 Cyanate or isocyanate esters; Thiocyanate or isothiocyanate esters
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 45/06 Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0014 Skin, i.e. galenical aspects of topical compositions non-active ingredients are additionally classified in A61K47/00; A61K9/0009, A61K9/0021, A61K9/7015, A61K9/7023 take precedence; cosmetic preparations A61K8/00, A61Q; preparations for wound dressings or bandages A61L26/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 251/00 Compounds containing nitrogen atoms doubly-bound to a carbon skeleton diazo compounds C07C245/12
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 331/24 the carbon skeleton containing six-membered aromatic rings
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 391/00 Compounds containing selenium

Abstract

Anti-cancer compositions and methods are described including one or more isothiocyanates and/or isoselenocyanates. Methods of treating a subject are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject having a condition characterized by Akt dysregulation. Administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject detectably increases apoptosis and/or decreases proliferation of cancer cells, particularly cancer cells characterized by Akt dysregulation.

Claims

1. A method of treating a subject having melanoma, comprising:

administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a compound having the structural formula;

R—

(CH₂)_n—

N═

C═

X, where n is an integer in the range of 1-8, inclusive, where X is Se, and where R is phenyl to the subject having melanoma.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a phenylalkyl isoselenocyanate having the structural formula:

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the subject is human.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition is formulated for topical application.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cancer is characterized by dysregulation of Akt.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the cancer is characterized by dysregulation of Akt3.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein administering the therapeutically effective amount of the composition to a subject detectably increases apoptosis and/or decreases proliferation of cells of the melanoma.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising administration of an adjunct anti-cancer treatment.