Anti-cancer compositions and methods

• US 9,126,910 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2013
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• 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., Desai, Dhimant H., Amin, Shantu G.
• Primary Examiner(s): JEAN-LOUIS, SAMIRA JM
• Application Number:
  US13/785,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20130253052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 917 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 modulating Akt dysregulation in a cell, comprising:

contacting the cell with an effective amount of an isoselenocyanate having the structural formula;

R—

(CH₂)_n—

N═

C═

Se, where n is an integer in the range of 1-8, inclusive, and where R is an aromatic group.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein contacting the cell decreases a component of an Akt signaling pathway selected from the group consisting of:

an Akt1 signaling pathway;

an Akt2 signaling pathway;

an Akt3 signaling pathway; and

a combination thereof.