Abstract: Compounds useful as agonists of A2A adenosine receptors are described. Also described is a cosmetically acceptable composition having an agonists of A2A adenosine receptors where the composition is suitable to apply to human skin to reduce the effects of melanin, resulting in skin whitening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel class of inhibitors of angiogenesis and/or metastasis that targets cell adhesion molecules, and more particularly to antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides directed to a subunit of an integrin vitronectin receptor to inhibit angiogenesis and/or metastasis. There is provided an antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide directed to one of a &agr;v, &bgr;3 and &bgr;5 subunit of an integrin vitronectin receptor. The antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide blocks synthesis of the integrin vitronectin receptor on a target cell, thereby inhibiting angiogenesis and/or metastasis. There is provided a method for blocking angiogenesis and/or metastasis in a patient, comprising delivering an efficient amount of such an antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotide to the target cell of the patient, thereby blocking synthesis of the integrin vitronectin receptor on the target cell and blocking angiogenesis and/or metastasis.