Abstract: A quinonemethide triterpenoid is administered to subjects with multidrug-resistant cancer, in particular a cancer with enhanced expression and/or functional activity of ABC transporter proteins such as P-glycoprotein and/or an apoptosis-deficient, in particular p53-, Bax- or Bak-deficient, cancer, i.e. specific subgroups of subjects with cancer. The quinonemethide triterpenoid is suitable to treat cancer allowing for an accumulation of cytotoxic or therapeutic compounds in the cells while having exceptionally increased cytotoxic activity towards the multidrug-resistant cancer cells and while allowing for an increased activity of chemotherapeutic compounds. Methods for specifically targeting cancer cells with multidrug-resistance and methods for potentiating the activity of a chemotherapeutic compound in those cancer cells are also disclosed. A kit including a quinonemethide triterpenoid and a chemotherapeutic compound is also provided.

Abstract: A quinonemethide triterpenoid is administered to subjects with multidrug-resistant cancer, in particular a cancer with enhanced expression and/or functional activity of ABC transporter proteins such as P-glycoprotein and/or an apoptosis-deficient, in particular p53-, Bax- or Bak-deficient, cancer, i.e. specific subgroups of subjects with cancer. The quinonemethide triterpenoid is suitable to treat cancer allowing for an accumulation of cytotoxic or therapeutic compounds in the cells while having exceptionally increased cytotoxic activity towards the multidrug-resistant cancer cells and while allowing for an increased activity of chemotherapeutic compounds. Methods for specifically targeting cancer cells with multidrug-resistance and methods for potentiating the activity of a chemotherapeutic compound in those cancer cells are also disclosed. A kit including a quinonemethide triterpenoid and a chemotherapeutic compound is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) as a SERCA inhibitor for treating cancers, a pharmaceutical composition comprising said compound, and methods of using said compound for treating cancers and/or inducing cell death in cells of said cancers. Said cancers include but not limited to cervical, lung, liver, breast, and prostate cancer. Said cancers also include drug-resistant and/or apoptosis-resistant cancers such as isogenic drug-resistant colon cancer. The subject being administered with said compound or the composition comprising thereof can be human or animal subject. Said methods for treating cancers and/or inducing cell death can be a targeting treatment for certain cancers.