Abstract: A diverse set of tubulin binding agents have been discovered which are structurally characterized, in a general sense, by a semi-rigid molecular framework capable of maintaining aryl-aryl, pseudo pi stacking distances appropriate for molecular recognition of tubulin. In phenolic or amino form, these ligands may be further functionalized to prepare phosphate esters, phosphate salts, phosphoramidates, and other prodrugs capable of demonstrating selective targeting and destruction of tumor cell vasculature.

Abstract: A diverse set of tubulin binding agents have been discovered which are structurally characterized, in a general sense, by a semi-rigid molecular framework capable of maintaining aryl-aryl, pseudo pi stacking distances appropriate for molecular recognition of tubulin. In phenolic or amino form, these ligands may be further functionalized to prepare phosphate esters, phosphate salts, phosphoramidates, and other prodrugs capable of demonstrating selective targeting and destruction of tumor cell vasculature.

Abstract: Novel stilbenoid compounds and their prodrug forms are disclosed, which serve as potent vascular targeting agents useful for the treatment of solid tumor cancers and other diseases associated with unwanted neovascularization. The novel stilbenoid compounds are tubulin-binding stilbenoid analogs structurally related to combretastatin A-1 and combretastatin A-4. The prodrug forms serve as potent vascular targeting agents (VTAs) useful for the treatment of solid tumor cancers and diseases associated with retinal neovascularization.

Abstract: A method of treating immune suppression in a warm-blooded animal bearing a tumor, by administering to the animal an amount of combretastatin A4 and/or a prodrug thereof effective to enhance immune responsiveness without causing vascular destruction. Immunotherapy treatment to inhibit or kill tumor cells includes administering to the animal an immune-response-stimulating agent such as a vaccine of tumor cells genetically modified to produce an immune-response-enhancing cytokine while counteracting tumor-induced immune suppression in the animal by administering combretastatin A4 and/or a prodrug thereof.