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: The invention provides the compounds of formula (): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, A, X, Y, a, b and n are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making the compounds of formula (I) and their use in treating or preventing diseases associated with cell overproliferation and dysfunctional sphingolipid signal transduction. The invention also encompasses the use of the compounds in combination with an apoptosis-signaling ligand, such as Fas ligand. Preferably, the Fas ligand is administered in the form of a gene therapy agent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions, methods of treatment and synthetic methods for making compounds related to Ceramides and the use of Ceramides.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter provides compounds of the formula: (1) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making the compounds of the formula as set forth hereinabove, their use in inhibiting sphingosine kinase, and their use in the treatment and/or prevention of diseases and/or conditions associated with undesirable ceramidase or sphingosine kinase activity, including, but not limit cancer, cancer metastasis, atherosclerosis, stenosis, inflammation, immunological disorders, asthma, atopic dermatitis, wound healing, and other proliferative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cationic ceramides, their dihydro-analogs and aromatic analogs and their derivatives, comprising a pyridinium group. Also provided are methods for making cationic ceramides comprising a pyridinium group, and their use for treating or preventing diseases associated with cell overproliferation and sphingolipid signal transduction, such as cancer, inflammation, and stenosis. The compounds are also useful as mitochondritropic agents that are localized to mitochondria carrying with them chemical cargoes, such as drugs, or signaling molecules, such as fluorophores for probing organelle structure and functions.

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: The present invention relates to cationic ceramides, their dihydro-analogs and aromatic analogs and their derivatives, comprising a pyridinium group. Also provided are methods for making cationic ceramides comprising a pyridinium group, and their use for treating or preventing diseases associated with cell overproliferation and sphingolipid signal transduction, such as cancer, inflammation, and stenosis. The compounds are also useful as mitochondritropic agents that are localized to mitochondria carrying with them chemical cargoes, such as drugs, or signaling molecules, such as fluorophores for probing organelle structure and functions.

Abstract: The invention provides the compounds of formula ( ): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, A, X, Y, a, b and n are as defined herein. Also disclosed are methods for making the compounds of formula (I) and their use in treating or preventing diseases associated with cell overproliferation and dysfunctional sphingolipid signal transduction. The invention also encompasses the use of the compounds in combination with an apoptosis-signaling ligand, such as Fas ligand. Preferably, the Fas ligand is administered in the form of a gene therapy agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of inhibiting the production of ceramide-1-phosphate in a cell by delivering to the cell a ceramide kinase antagonist. The invention also relates to a method of treating a condition related to activation of phospholipase A2 in a subject by administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a ceramide kinase antagonist. The invention further relates to the use of ceramide kinase in drug screening assays. The invention also encompasses compounds that inhibit the production of ceramide-1-phosphate by ceramide kinase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds which can be used as inhibitors of mitochondrial ceramidase, in particular human mitochondrial ceramidase. The invention also relates to methods of designing and making the compounds, as well as methods screening for compounds that inhibit mitochondrial ceramidase. The invention also relates to the use of the compounds as a regulator of the level of ceramide by inhibiting ceramidase activity. The invention also relates to methods for the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with cell overproliferation and sphingolipid signal transduction including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to the bioeffector molecule ceramide and, in particular, to methods of effecting intracellular accumulation of ceramide. The invention further relates to methods of selecting compounds that inhibit alkaline ceramidase and that can be used to treat diseases/disorders associated with cell hyperplasia or dedifferentiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to the bioeffector molecule ceramide and, in particular, to methods of effecting intracellular accumulation of ceramide. The invention further relates to methods of selecting compounds that inhibit alkaline ceramidase and that can be used to treat diseases/disorders associated with cell hyperplasia or dedifferentiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical preparations of N-acyl-phenylaminoalcohol analogs for inducing differentiation of cells. Compositions having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H, NO.sub.2, OH, chlorine, bromine or fluorine;R.sub.2 is H, OH or methoxy;R.sub.3 is H or OH; andm is from about 10 to about 14are administered to cells of a mammal that are capable of undergoing differentiation in amounts effective to induce differentiation of the cells. The invention also provides methods and pharmaceutical preparations for altering the phenotype of cells and for treating diseases characterized by hyperproliferation of cells.