Abstract: A pharmacologic agent for treating and/or preventing cancer, among other diseases and conditions, and particularly breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancer, in humans and animals. The novel pharmacologic agent is an isoflavonoid or isoflavonoid mimetic covalently attached to a cytotoxic pharmacophore that, preferably has the ability to conjugate with a metal salt to form a more potent metal complex, particularly a Cu(II) complex. The isoflavonoid or isoflavonoid mimetic may he non-fragmented steroidal hormone, such as progesterone which is structurally related to the isoflavone genistein, or a small molecule hormone mimetic, such as chromone. An illustrative non-fragmented steroidal embodiment is 17-acetyl-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,6,7,8,9,11,12,13,14,15, 16,17-tetradecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-thiosemicarbazone and its Cu(II) complex. Effective chromone analogs include the thiosemicarbazone and hydrazone analogs of 4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carboxaldehyde and their Cu(IT) complexes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel immune potentiators, novel vaccine adjuvants, novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions, novel methods for treating viral infections, including HCV, by administering the compounds, and novel methods for modulating an immune response by administering the compounds.

Abstract: The invention concerns compounds of formula (I) wherein: X, Y, R1, R2, Z, G are as defined in the description, the methods for preparing them and the intermediates in said method, their use as medicine and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to a process for the preparation of a steroid of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and theo A, B, C, and D ring system has at least one double bond and is optionally substituted by at least one optionally protected hydroxy, optionally protected keto, halogen, alkyl and alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and alkenyl and alkynyl of 2 to 4 carbon atoms by reacting the corresponding 17-ketosteroid with a compound of the formula ##STR2## and then by reacting the resulting compound with an aryl sulfenyl halide. The intermediate produced then undergoes rearrangement followed by epimerization with a strong base to obtain a mixture of the corresponding sulfoxide diastereoisomers which is reacted with a thiophilic compound. The intermediate produced undergoes acid hydrolysis to provide the compound of formula I.