Abstract: Disclosed are compounds suitable for enhancing cancer treatment, for example, a compound of formula (I): (I) wherein R1 is as defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of enhancing the response of cancer cells in a mammal to treatment with an apoptosis inducing ligand, a method of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a mammal, and a method of treating prostate cancer in mammal in need thereof comprising administration of a compound described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enhancing the response of cancer cells in a mammal to treatment with an apoptosis inducing ligand, which method comprises contacting the cancer cells with an apoptosis inducing ligand in conjunction with an effective amount of a compound of the formula: (I), wherein R1-R14 are as described herein. Also disclosed is a method of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a mammal, comprising contacting the cancer cells with the compound described herein and also contacting the cancer cells with an apoptosis inducing ligand, whereby apoptosis is induced in the cancer cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of enhancing the response of cancer cells in a mammal to treatment with an apoptosis inducing ligand, which method comprises contacting the cancer cells with an apoptosis inducing ligand in conjunction with an effective amount of a compound of the formula: (I), wherein R1-R14 are as described herein. Also disclosed is a method of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells in a mammal, comprising contacting the cancer cells with the compound described herein and also contacting the cancer cells with an apoptosis inducing ligand, whereby apoptosis is induced in the cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of withanolides that have been isolated from W. somnifera under aeroponic conditions or produced semi-synthetically from withanolide natural products. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods for using the same in proliferative diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of withanolides that have been isolated from W. somnifera under aeroponic conditions or produced semi-synthetically from withanolide natural products. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions thereof and methods for using the same in proliferative diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 2-debenzoyl-2-acyl taxol derivatives, analogues thereof and methods for making same.Compounds of the present invention include compounds having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl or substituted alkyl; R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of H and C(O)R.sub.a ; R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of H, protecting groups, R.sub.b, and C(O)R.sub.b ; R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of H and C(O)R.sub.c, and wherein R.sub.a, R.sub.b, and R.sub.c are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyls, substituted alkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, aryls, and substituted aryls; provided that R.sub.a is other than phenyl and 3-hydroxyphenyl.

Abstract: Compounds having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl or substituted alkyl; R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of H and C(O)R.sub.a ; R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of H, protecting groups, R.sub.b, and C(O)R.sub.b ; R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of H and C(O)R.sub.c, and wherein R.sub.a, R.sub.b, and R.sub.c are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyls, substituted alkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, aryls, and substituted aryls; provided that R.sub.a is other than phenyl and 3-hydroxyphenyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of making to 2-debenzoyl-2-acyl taxol derivatives, and analogues thereof.

Abstract: The natural product cephalomannine can be converted to the important anticancer natural product taxol by a simple process involving the steps of dihydroxylation to give cephalomannine-diols, diol cleavage, benzoylation at the 2'-position and reaction with a 1,2-diamine. The same process when applied to mixtures of taxol and cephalomannine makes it possible to separate taxol from cephalomannine-diols by simple flash-chromatography after the dihydroxylation step. If the benzoylation step is avoided in the above sequence of conversions, the process leads to the free amine (N-debenzoyltaxol). In addition, the selection of an acylating reagent other than that with the benzoyl group for acylation of the free amine (N-debenzoyltaxol), allows the preparation of taxol analogs with other N-acyl substituents.