Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides compounds of the formula, formula (Ia): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, X, Y, and n are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making the compounds of the formula as set forth hereinabove, their use in inhibiting acid ceramidase and ceramidase-related activity, and their use as drugs and prodrugs in the treatment and/or prevention of diseases associated with undesirable ceramidase or sphingosine kinase activity, including, but not limited to, cancer, cancer metastasis, atherosclerosis, stenosis, inflammation, asthma, and atopic dermatitis.

Abstract: A solid phase synthetic method for preparing arylretinamides is provided. The method comprises reacting hexachloroacetone with a solvent-suspended resin-bound triphenylphosphine to provide a suspension comprising an activated chlorinating reagent; reacting retinoic acid with the activated chlorinating reagent to provide retinoyl chloride; adding pyridine and a select arylamine to the resulting mixture; and stirring the resulting mixture for a time and at a temperature sufficient for the select arylamine to react with the retinoyl chloride and provide the arylretinamide. Also provided, are select arylretinamides that can be prepared by the present method, and methods of using such arylretinamides to induce apoptosis in cancer cells.

Abstract: Cyclic imino derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein X and R.sub.a to R.sub.g are as defined herein, useful for their inhibitory effects on aggregation, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and processes for preparing them.