Abstract: The present invention concerns a compound of formula (I) wherein: W represents O or NH, Q represents an unbranched or branched, saturated or unsaturated or aromatic, cyclic or acyclic or heterocyclic hydrocarbon radical containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms including or not heteroatom(s), R1 is H, OH, or R1, R2 form together —O—, R3?R4?OMe or R3 and R4 form together —OCH2O—, R is H, C1-C30alkyl or O-protecting group and R6 represents an unbranched or branched, saturated or unsaturated or aromatic, cyclic or acyclic or heterocyclic hydrocarboned radical containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms including or not heteroatom(s), or R and R6 form together —CMe2-, n is 0 to 8, R5 is H, OH, OMe, O—(C1-C30)-alkyl, O-aryl-(C1-C30)-alkyl, O—(C2-C30)-alkenyl, O—(C3-C30)-cycloalkyl or O-aryl, the dotted line is null or forms a double bond depending on the meaning of R1. It also concerns their methods of preparation and their use in treatment of cancers, leukemias, parasites and as reversal agents of harringtonines.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new general process for asymmetric hemisynthesis of harringtonines and their analogs, that are alkaloids used in chemotherapy. This process comprises direct esterification of a natural cephalotaxine with an acylating compound constituted of a side chain precursor which backbone and functionalization are entirely preformed. The invention also concerns a natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic harringtonines including their tautomeric forms and their salts of the following formula: wherein n=2 (i.e. harringtonine) or n=3 (i.e. homoharringtonine), in which the total content of impurities, possibly including enantiomeric forms, is lower than 1%, and/or the content of the major impurity is lower than 0.9%, and/or the chromatographic assay exhibits a harringtonines content higher than 97.5%.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of treating chronic myelogenous leukemia, a related myeloproliferative disorder or a Ph-positive acute lymphocytic leukemia in a subject animal, comprising: (a) selecting or identifying an animal suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia or a related myeloproliferative disorder and showing resistance or intolerance to treatment with STI571; and (b) administering to the animal homoharringtonine. In a preferred embodiment, the animal is a human being.