Abstract: The present invention provides a role for neurotrophins in hES cell survival and important new insights into the molecular mechanisms controlling the growth of these cells. Although previous studies identified growth factors that affect self-renewal of hES cells, the novelty of the present invention is the identification of factors that act through specific receptors present on hES cells and activate the receptors at physiological concentrations to promote survival and proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel boronic acid aryl derivatives which are useful as antitumor/anticancer agents. The present compounds, which are inexpensive to synthesize, exhibit unexpectedly good inhibitors of the growth of human breast cancer cells. The present invention also relates to the use of the novel boronic acid aryl derivatives to treat cancer. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inhibitors of the invention and methods of utilizing the inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions in the treatment and prevention of cancer.