Title of Invention

SUBSTITUTED ORGANOSULFUR COMPOUNDS AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITION COMPRISING THEM

Abstract The invention discloses a compound having the formula: wherein A, B, R, S, n and p are as defined in the specification and it preparation. The invention is also for a pharmaceutical composition comprising said compound and method for its preparation.
Full Text Cross-Reference to Related Application
[0001] This application is related to U.S. provisional application 60/564,151, filed
20 April 2004. The contents of this document are incorporated herein by reference.
Technical Field
[0002] The invention relates to organosulfur compounds and methods of using thereof.
Background Art
[0003] Cancer remains one of the most important unmet medical challenges to mankind. A
number of options for treating tumors are available, including surgery, radiation, chemotherapy,
or any combination of these approaches. Among these, chemotherapy is widely used for all
types of cancers, in particular for those inoperable or with metastatic characteristics. Despite a
variety of chemotherapeutic compounds being used in clinics, chemotherapy is generally not
curative, but only delays disease progression. Commonly, tumors and their metastasis become
refractory to chemotherapy, as the tumor cells develop the ability of multidrug resistance. In
some cases, the tumors are inherently resistant to some classes of chemotherapeutic agents. In
other cases, the acquired resistance against chemotherapeutic agents is developed during the
chemotherapeutic intervention. Thus, there remain significant limitations to the efficacy of
available chemotherapeutic compounds in treating different classes of tumors. Furthermore,
many cytotoxic and cytostatic agents used for chemotherapeutic treatment of tumors have severe
side effects, resulting in termination of the chemotherapy in some patients. Thus, there remains
a need for new chemotherapeutic agents.
[0004] Dibenzyl bisulfide (DBTS) is a biologically active polysulfide secondary metabolite
that was isolated from the sub-tropical shrub, Petiveria alliacea L. (Phytolaccaceae). It has been
reported that DBTS has immunomodulatory activities ("Immunomodulatory activities of
Petiveria alliacea", by Williams, L. A. D., Gardner, T. L., Fletcher, C. K., Naravane, A., Gibbs,
N. and Fleischhacker, R. Phytother. Res., 1997,11, 251-253; "A sulfonic anhydride derivative
from dibenzyl trisulphide with agro-chemical activities", by Williams, L. A. D., Vasqaez, E.,

Klaiber, I., Kraus, W. and Rosner, H. Chemosphere, 2003, 51, 701-706). In investigating the
cellular and molecular mechanisms of DBTS for its immunomodulatory activity, Rosner and co-
workers reported that DBTS preferentially binds to an aromatic region of bovine serum albumin
and attenuates the dephosphorylation of tyrosyl residues of MAP kinase (erkl/erk2) in SH-
SY5Y neuroblastoma cells (in "Disassembly of microtubules and inhibition of neurite
outgrowth, neuroblastoma cell proliferation, and MAP kinase tyrosine dephosphorylation by
dibenzyl trisulphide", by Rosner, H., Williams, L. A. D., Jung, A. and Kraus, W. Biochim.
Biophy. Acta, 2001, 1540, 166-177). In addition, they reported that DBTS causes a reversible
disassembly of microtubules and did not affect actin dynamics in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells
and in Wistar 38 human lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, they reported that DBTS also inhibits
neuroblastoma cell proliferation and neurite outgrowth from spinal cord explants.
[0005] In a different study, Mata-Greenwood and co-workers tested the antiproliferative and
differentiating activity of a large set of extracts derived from various plants ("Discovery of novel
inducers of cellular differentiation using HL-60 promyeolocytic cells", by Mata-Greenwood, E.,
Ito A., Westernburg, H., Cui, B., Mehta, R. G., Kinghorn, A. D. and Pezzuto, J. M. Anticancer
Res. 2001, 21,1763-1770). They reported that the lipophilic extract of the roots ofPetiveria
alliacea L., and the active fraction from the lipophilic extract showed antiproliferative and
differentiating activity in HL-60 promyelocytic cells. From the active fraction of the lipophilic
extract, they isolated two active organosulfur compounds, i.e., 2-[(phenylmethyl)dithio]ethanol
and dibenzyl trisulfide. They reported that these two organosulfur compounds induced
monocyte-like differentiation and strong cytotoxicity. Furthermore, they reported that none of
these two isolates demonstrated antiproliferative activity in HL-60 cells.
Disclosure of the Invention
[0006] The present invention relates to organosulfur compounds, pharmaceutical
compositions, and methods of using thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to
substituted di-, tri-, tetra- and penta-sulfide compounds, including pharmaceutically acceptable
salts and partially oxidized sulfone derivatives thereof. Compounds as described herein exhibit
anti-tumor, anticancer, anti-inflammation, anti-infectious, and/or antiproliferation activity. The
present invention also relates to methods of making and formulating organosulfur compounds.

[0007] In one embodiment, the invention provides compounds having formula

wherein A and B are the same or different, and are independently an optionally
substituted aryl, heteroaryl, or a 5-14 membered ring which may be monocyclic or multicyclic
and optionally containing a heteroatom;
each S is optionally in the form of an oxide;
S1 and S2 are independently S, SO or S02;
each R is H, halogen, carboxyl, cyano, amino, amido, an amino acid, an inorganic
substituent, SR1, OR1 or R1, wherein each R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, a
carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring, each of which is optionally substituted and may contain a
heteroatom;
m, n and p are independently 0-3;
or a compound having formula (3) or (4):

wherein A, B, R, S, n and p are as defined above;
or a compound having formula (5):

wherein A, B, S, n and p are as defined above; and
Z is (CR,2)q or (CR^CR1^* wherein q is 0-3 and the * represents that C=C may be
replaced with alkynyl, O, S, NR; or Z is an optionally substituted aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclic
ring;
wherein A and B together may form a cyclic ring system;
and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug or metabolite thereof;

provided said compound is not dibenzyltrisulfide, di(p-chlorobenzyl)trisulfide,
(p-cHorobenzyl)benzyltrisulfide, di(p-nitrobenzyl)trisulfide, di(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-trisulfide,
diphenyltrisulfide, or di(p-t-butylphenyl)trisulfide.
[0008] In the above formula 1 -5, each Z may be

wherein each W is independently a bond, CR, N, NR, S, or O;
each R is as defined above.
[0009] In the above formula 1-5, each R may be H, halo, OR1, SR1, CO2R1, CONR'z, C=0,
CN, CF3, OCF3, N02, NR1R1, OCORj; or R is CMO alkyl, C3-10 cyclic alkyl, C2-i0 alkenyl, C2-10
alkynyl, an aryl, heteroaryl, a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring, each of which may contain
a heteroatom.
[0010] In the above formula 1-5, each A and B may be benzene, pyridine, pyridazine,
pyrimidine, pyrazine, triazine, isoxazole, isothiazole, oxadiazole, [l,2,4]oxadiazole, triazole,
thiadiazole, pyrazole, imidazole, thiazole, oxazole, benzoxazole, pyrrole, furan, thiophene
indolizine, indole, isoindole, indoline, benzofuran, benzothiophene, indazole, benzimidazole,
benzthiazole, purine, quinoxaline, quinoline, isoquinoline, cinnoline, phthalazine, quinazoline,
quinoxaline, naphthyridine, pteridine, acridine, phenazine, phenothiazine, indene, naphthalene,
benzoxadiazol, or benzo[l,2,5]-oxadiazole.

[0011] In another aspect, each A and B are independently

where X and W are independently S, O, NR7, CR7;
or one W in a 6-membered monocyclic or bicyclic ring may be a bond; and
each Ri, R2, R3, R4, R5, Re, R7IS H, halogen, carboxyl, cyano, amino, amino acid, amido,
an inorganic substituent, SR1, OR1 or R1, wherein each R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl,
heteroaryl, a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring, each of which is optionally substituted and
may contain a heteroatom. For example, each Ri, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R?may be H, halo, OR1,
SR1, CO2R1, CONR^, OO, CN, CF3, OCF3, N02, NR1R1, 000^;- or each Rh R2, R3, R4, R5,
R6, R7 is CMO alkyl, C3-10 cyclic alkyl, C2-10 alkenyl, C2-10 alkynyl, an aryl, heteroaryl, a
carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring, each of which may contain a heteroatom.
[0012] Examples of aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic ring include but are not limited to
piperazine, piperidine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, phenyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, pyridinyl,
pytirnidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, quinoxalinyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, quinolinyl,
naphthalenyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazolopyrimidinyl, benzoimidazolyl, benzothiazolyl,
benzene-thiophene, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, quinolizinyl, quinolinyl,
isoquinolinyl, or quinazolinyl, each of which is optionally substituted with a heteroatom selected
from O, N, S and halo; or substituted with CMO alkyl, C3.10 cyclic alkyl, C2-io alkenyl, C2-10
alkynyl, aryl, or heterocycle, each optionally containing a heteroatom.

[0013] In the above formula 1-5, each S may be a mono-oxide or a di-oxide.
[0014] In another aspect, the compound has the formula (6)

and each n is 1-3; and
R is H, halo, alkyl or halogenated alkyl.
[0015] In yet another aspect, the compound has the formula (7)

wherein Ar is an optionally substituted thiophene, benzothiophene, pyridine or pyrazine.
[0016] Examples of compounds having formula 1-5 include but are not limited to
di(fluorobenzyl)trisulfide, di(o-chlorobenzyl)trisulfide, di(methylbenzyl)trisulfide,
di(trifluoromethylbenzyl)trisulfide, di(2-phenylethyl)trisulfide,
di(2-thiophen-yl-methyl)trisulfide, di(4-pyridin-yl-ethyl)trisulfide,
di(2-pyrimidin-yl-ethyl)trisulfide, or di(3-benzothiophen-yl-methyl)trisulfide. In particular
examples, the compound is di(p-fiuorobenzyI)trisulfide, di(m-methylbenzyl)trisulfide, or di-(p-
methylbenzyl)trisulfide.
[0017] In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods for making a
composition comprising a compound having formula 1-5 as described above, and also provides
compositions prepared according to such methods. In one aspect, the present invention provides
a method comprising: a) dissolving a compound of claim 1 in a water-soluble organic solvent, a
non-ionic solvent, a water-soluble lipid, a cyclodextrin, a vitamin, a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester,
a phospholipid, or a combination thereof, to provide a solution; and b) adding saline or a buffer
containing 1-10% carbohydrate solution. The organic solvent may be polyethylene glycol
(PEG), an alcohol, -AT-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,Af-dimethylformarnide, A^i^-dimethylacetamide,
dimethyl sulfoxide, or a combination thereof.
[0018] In the above process, the non-ionic surfactant may be polyoxyethyleneglycerol-
triricinoleat 35, PEG-succinate, polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, polyethylene glycol 660 12-
hydroxystearate, sorbitan monooleate, poloxamer, ethoxylated persic oil, capryl-caproyl
macrogol-8-glyceride, glycerol ester,PEG 6 caprylic glyceride, glycerin, glycol-polysorbate, or a

combination thereof. Particular examples of non-ionic surfacts are polyethylene glycol modified
CREMOPHOR® (polyoxyethyleneglyceroltriricinoleat 35), CREMOPHOR® EL, hydrogenated
CREMOPHOR® RH40, hydrogenated CREMOPHOR® RH60, SOLUTOL® HS (polyethylene
glycol 660 12-hydroxystearate), LABRAFIL® (ethoxylated persic oil), LABRASOL® (capryl-
caproyl macrogol-8-glyceride), GELUCIRE® (glycerol ester), and SOFTIGEN® (PEG 6 caprylic
glyceride).
[0019] In the above process, the lipid may be a vegetable oil, a triglyceride, a plant oil, or a
combination thereof. For example, the lipid may be castor oil, polyoxyl castor oil, corn oil,
olive oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, peppermint oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil,
hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, a triglyceride of coconut oil, palm seed
oil, and hydrogenated forms thereof, or a combination thereof.
[0020] In the above process, the vitamin may be tocopherol; and the fatty acid and fatty acid
ester may be oleic acid, a monoglyceride, diglyceride, a mono- or di-fatty acid ester of PEG, or a
combination thereof.
[0021] In the above process, the cyclodextrin may be alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin,
hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, or sulfobutyl ether-beta-cyclodextrin. The phospholipid may
be soy phosphatidylcholine, or distearoyl phosphatidylglycerol, and hydrogenated forms thereof,
or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the carbohydrate in the above process may comprise
dextrose.
[0022] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides methods for preparing a
compound of formula 1-2 as described above, comprising: a) contacting N-trimethylsilyl
imidazole with sulfur dichloride in a halogenated solvent to provide diimidazolylsulfide; and b)
contacting said diimidazolylsulfide with mercaptan. In one example, the halogenated solvent is
dichloromethane.
[0023] In one aspect, N-trimethylsilyl imidazole in hexane is contacted with sulfur
dichloride in dichloromethane. In another aspect, sulfur dichloride as a neat compound is
contacted with N-trimethylsilyl imidazole in hexane and dichloromethane. In yet another aspect,
the methods further comprise recrystallizing the trisulfide. In one example, the trisulfide is
recrystallized in n-hexanes, hexanes, heptane, petroleum ether or a combination thereof.
[0024] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition
comprising a compound having formula 1-5 as described above, and a pharmaceutically
acceptable excipient. Such compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof may be used
for ameliorating or treating neuroblastoma. Thus, the present invention also provides methods

for ameliorating or treating neuroblastoma, comprising administering to a system or a subject in
need thereof an effective amount of a compound having formula 1-5 or a pharmaceutical
composition thereof and optionally with an antiproliferative agent, whereby said neuroblastoma
is ameliorated or treated.
[0025] The present invention also provides methods for ameliorating or treating a condition
comprising administering to a subject or a system in need thereof any compound having formula
1-5 or a pharmaceutical composition thereof, wherein said compound may be dibenzyltrisulfide,
di(p-chlorobenzyl)trisulfide, (p-chlorobenzyl)benzyltrisulfide, di(p-nitrobenzyl)trisulfide,
di(3-phenyl-2-propenyi)-trisulfide, diphenyltrisulfide, or di(p-t-butylphenyl)trisulfide. The
subject may be a human or an animal such as a mammal. The system may be a cell or tissue, or
other systems where compounds may be administered in vitro.
[0026] In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods for treating or
ameliorating a cell proliferative disorder other than neuroblastoma, comprising administering to
a system or a subject in need thereof an effective amount of any compound having formula 1-5
or a pharmaceutical composition thereof and optionally with an antiproliferative agent, whereby
said cell proliferative disorder in said system or subject is ameliorated or treated. The present
invention also provides methods for reducing or inhibiting cell proliferation or for inducing cell
death. The present invention further provides methods for inducing apoptosis. In particular
examples, the compound used in the methods of the present invention is dibenzyltrisulfide, di(p-
fluorobenzyl)trisulfide, di(p-methylbenzyl)trisulfide or di(m'-methylbenzyl)trisulfide, and
optionally with an antiproliferative agent.
[0027] In one aspect, cell proliferation is reduced, or said cell death is induced. The cell
proliferative disorder may be a tumor or a cancer including but not limited to leukemia,
lymphoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, CNS cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, renal cancer,
prostate cancer, breast cancer, head-neck cancer, pancreatic cancer, or renal cancer. In another
aspect, cell apoptosis is induced. In another aspect, tubulin assemly or disassembly is disrupted,
or G2/M progression of the cell cycle, cell mitosis, or a combination thereof, is inhibited. In yet
another aspect, endothelial cell proliferation, angiogenesis, or a combination thereof, is
inhibited.
[0028] In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods for ameliorating or
treating restenosis, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of
any compound having formula 1-5 or a pharmaceutical composition thereof, whereby restenosis
in said subject is ameliorated or treated. The restenosis may be associated with neointimal

hyperplasia. The compounds may be administered via oral or parental administration, or via
a stent. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical
composition for the treatment of a cell proliferative disorder, comprising any compound having
formula 1-5, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Vy
Accompanying y^
Brief Description of the/Drawings *[0029] Figures 1A-C show the responses of H460 cells (non-small cell lung cancer line) to
different concentrations of DBTS, colcemid, and paclitaxel, respectively, as determined on Real-
Time Electronic Sensing System (RT-CES system).
[0030] Figure 2 shows the responses of MV522 cells (lung cancer cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS), as determined on RT-CES system.
[0031] Figure 3 shows responses of MCF-7 cells (breast cancer cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS), as determined on RT-CES system.
[0032] Figure 4 shows responses of A549 cells (lung cancer cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS), as determined on RT-CES system.
[0033] Figure 5 shows responses of PC3 cells (prostate cancer cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS) (Figure 6A) and 5-fluorouracil (Figure 6B), as
determined on RT-CES system.
[0034] Figure 6 shows responses of A431 cells (epidermoid cancer cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS), as determined on RT-CES system.
[0035] Figure 7 shows responses of HT1080 cells (fibrosarcoma cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS), as determined on RT-CES system.
[0036] Figure 8 shows responses of MDA-231 cells (breast cancer cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS), as determined on RT-CES system.
[0037] Figure 9 shows responses of HT-29 cells (colon cancer cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS), as determined on RT-CES system.
[0038] Figure 10 shows responses of HC-2998 cells (colon cancer cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS), as determined on RT-CES system.
[0039] Figure 11 shows responses of OVCAR4 cells (ovarian cancer cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS), as determined on RT-CES system.
[0040] Figure 12 shows responses of A2780 cells (colon cancer cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS), as determined on RT-CES system.

[0041] Figure 13 shows responses of HepG2 cells (human hepatoma cell line) to different
concentrations of dibenzyl bisulfide (DBTS), as determined on RT-CES system.
[0042] Figure 14 shows mouse sarcoma SI80 tumors (planted into mice by subcutaneous
implanting) treated with dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS).
[0043] Figure 15 shows mouse Lewis lung cancer (planted into mice by subcutaneous
implanting) treated with dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS).
[0044] Figure 16 shows Bcap-37 human breast tumors that were xenograft-transplanted in
immunodeficient nude mice by subcutaneous seeding and were treated with compound
ACEA100108.
[0045] Figure 17 shows the dynamic change in tumor size in the in vivo antitumor efficacy
test of compound ACEA100108 on Bcap-37 human breast cancer that was xenograft
transplanted in immunodeficient nude mice by subcutaneous implanting.
[0046] Figure 18 shows the dynamic change in body weight of carrier mice in the in vivo
antitumor efficacy teH of compound ACEA100108 (100108) on Bcap-37 human breast cancer
that was xenograft- transplanted in immunodeficient nude mice by subcutaneous implanting.
[0047] Figure 19 shows HCT-8 human colon tumors that were xenograft-transplanted in
immunodeficient nude mice by subcutaneous seeding and were treated with compound
ACEA100108.
[0048] Figure 20 shows the dynamic change in tumor size in the in vivo antitumor efficacy
test of compound ACEA100108 on HCT-8 human colon cancer that was xenograft-transplanted
in immunodeficient nude mice by subcutaneous implanting.
[0049] Figure 21 shows the dynamic change in body weight of carrier mice in the in vivo
antitumor efficacy test of compound ACEA100108 (100108) on HCT-8 human colon cancer that
was xenograft-transplanted in immunodeficient nude mice by subcutaneous implanting.
[0050] Figure 22 shows aolO/17 human ovarian tumors that were xenograft-transplanted in
immunodeficient nude mice by subcutaneous seeding and were treated with compound
ACEA100108.
[0051] Figure 23 shows the dynamic change in tumor size in the in vivo antitumor efficacy
test of compound ACEA100108 on aolO/17 human ovarian cancer that was xenograft
transplanted in immunodeficient nude mice by subcutaneous implanting.
[0052] Figure 24 shows the dynamic change in body weight of carrier mice in the in vivo
antitumor efficacy test of compound ACEA100108 (100108) on aolO/17 human ovarian cancer
that was xenograft-transplanted in immunodeficient nude mice by subcutaneous implanting.

[0053] Figure 25 shows Bcap-37 human breast tumors that were xenograft-transpl anted in
imrnunodeficient nude mice by subcutaneous implanting and were treated with compound
ACEA100108.
[0054] Figure 26 shows the responses of various cell lines to ACEA100108, as determined
on RT-CES system.
[0055] Figure 27 shows the responses of HT1080 cell to different derivatives of DBTS, as
determined on RT-CES system.
[0056] Figure 28 shows the images of microtubules in control COS cells that were not
treated with any drugs.
[0057] Figure 29 shows the images of microtubules in COS cells treated with different
concentrations of paclitaxel for 4 hours.
[0058] Figure 30 shows the images of microtubules in COS cells treated with different
concentrations of paclitaxel for 24 hours.
[0059] Figure 31 shows the images of microtubules in COS cells Seated with different
concentrations of vinblastine for 4 hours.
[0060] Figure 32 shows the images of microtubules in COS cells treated with different
concentrations of vinblastine for 24 hours.
[0061] Figure 33 shows the images of microtubules in COS cells treated with different
concentrations of DBTS for 4 hours.
[0062] Figure 34 shows the images of microtubules in COS cells treated with different
concentrations of DBTS for 24 hours.
[0063] Figure 35 shows the images of microtubules in COS cells treated with different
concentrations of ACEA100108 for 4 hours.
[0064] Figure 36 shows the images of microtubules in COS cells treated with different
concentrations of ACEA100108 for 24 hours.
[0065] Figure 37 shows the images of microtubules in COS cells treated with different
concentrations of ACEA100116 for 4 hours.
[0066] Figure 38 shows the images of microtubules in COS cells treated with different
concentrations of ACEA100116 for 24 hours.
[0067] Figure 39a shows the result of the in vitro microtubule assembly assays using pure
tubulin (MAP-free) and DBTS.
[0068] Figure 39b shows the electron microscopic images of microtubules assembled in
vitro in the absence of any drug.

(0069] Figure 39c shows the electron microscopic images of microtubules assembled in
vitro in the presence of 3 uM DBTS.
[0070] Figure 40 shows the result of the in vitro microtubule assembly assays using pure
tubulin (MAP-free) and ACEA100108.
[0071] Figure 41 shows the result of the in vitro microtubule assembly assays using pure
tubulin (MAP-free) and ACEA100116.
[0072] Figure 42 shows the fluorescent microscope images of 6-CFDA (top panel) and
Annexin V (bottom panel) staining of A549 human lung cancer cells treated with treated with 1
uM ACEA100108, 50 nM paclitaxel, 10 nM vinblastine or DMSO for 24 hrs.
[0073] Figure 43 show the cell cycle distribution of A549 human lung cancer cells after they
were treated with 25 uM ACEA100108, 7.8 nM paclitaxel, or DMSO for 24 hrs, as analyzed on
a flow cytometry.
Modes of Carrying Out the Invention
[0074] For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the
invention is divided into the subsections that follow.
A. Definition
[0075] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention
belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to
herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is
contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in the patents, applications,
published applications and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the
definition set forth in this section prevails over the definition incorporated herein by reference.
[0076] As used herein, "a" or "an" means "at least one" or "one or more".
[0077] The term "alkyl" as used herein refers to saturated hydrocarbon groups in a straight,
branched, or cyclic configuration and particularly contemplated alkyl groups include lower alkyl
groups (i.e., those having ten or less carbon atoms). Exemplary alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl,
propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, etc. The term
"alkenyl" as used herein refers to an alkyl as defined above and having at least one double bond.
Thus, particularly contemplated alkenyl groups include straight, branched, or cyclic alkenyl
groups having two to ten carbon atoms (e.g., ethenyl, propenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, etc.).

Similarly, the term "alkynyl" as used herein refers to an alkyl or allcenyl as defined above and
having at least one triple bond. Especially contemplated alkynyls include straight, branched, or
cyclic alkynes having two to ten total carbon atoms (e.g., ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, etc.) .
[0078] The term "cycloalkyl" as used herein refers to a cyclic alkane (i.e., in which a chain
of carbon atoms of a hydrocarbon forms a ring), preferably including three to eight carbon
atoms. Thus, exemplary cycloalkanes include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,
cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl. Cycloalkyls also include one or two double bonds, which form the
"cycloalkenyl" groups. Cycloalkyl groups are also further substituted by alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,
halo and other general groups.
[0079] The term "aryl" or "aromatic moiety" as used herein refers to an aromatic ring
system, which may further include one or more non-carbon atoms. Thus, contemplated aryl
groups include (e.g., phenyl, naphthyl, etc.) and pyridyl. Further contemplated aryl groups may
be fused (i.e., covalently bound with 2 atoms on the first aromatic ring) with one or two 5- or 6-
membered aryl or heterocyclic group, and are thus termed "fused aryl" or "fused aromatic".
[0080] As also used herein, the terms "heterocycle", "cycloheteroalkyl", and "heterocyclic
moieties" are used interchangeably herein and refer to any compound in which a plurality of
atoms form a ring via a plurality of covalent bonds, wherein the ring includes at least one atom
other than a carbon atom. Particularly contemplated heterocyclic bases include 5- and 6-
membered ritnjs with nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen as the non-carbon atom (e.g., imidazole,
pyrrole, triazole, dihydro pyrimidine, indole, pyridine, thiazole, tetrazole etc.). Further
contemplated heterocycles maybe fused (i.e., covalently bound with two atoms on the first
heterocyclic ring) to one or two ring or heterocycle, and are thus termed "fused heterocycle" or
"fused heterocyclic base" or "fused heterocyclic moieties" as used herein.
[0081] The term "alkoxy" as used herein refers to straight or branched alkyl connecting to an
oxygen atom called alkoxides, wherein the hydrocarbon portion may have any number of carbon
atoms, may further include a double or triple bond and may include one or two oxygen, sulfur or
nitrogen atoms in the alkyl chains. For example, suitable alkoxy groups include methoxy,
ethoxy, propyloxy, isopropoxy, methoxyethoxy, etc. Similarly, the term "alkylthio" refers to
straight or branched chain alkylsulfides, wherein the hydrocarbon portion may have any number
of carbon atoms, may further include a double or triple bond and may include one or two
oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atoms in the alkyl chains. For example, contemplated alkylthio
groups include methylthio, ethylthio, isopropylthio, methoxyethylthio, etc.

[0082] Likewise, the term "alkylamino" refers to straight or branched alkylamines, wherein
the amino nitrogen "N" can be substituted by one or two alkyls and the hydrocarbon portion may
have any number of carbon atoms and may further include a double or triple bond. Furthermore,
the hydrogen of the alkylamino may be substituted with another alkyl group. Therefore,
exemplary alkylamino groups include methylamino, dimethylamino, ethylamino, diethylamino,
etc.
[0083] The term "aryloxy" as used herein refers to an aryl group connecting to an oxygen
atom, wherein the aryl group maybe further substituted. For example suitable aryloxy groups
include phenyloxy, etc. Similarly, the term "arylthio" as used herein refers to an aryl group
connecting to a sulfur atom, wherein the aryl group may be further substituted. For example
suitable arylthio groups include phenylthio, etc.
[0084] The term "halogen" as used herein refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.
[0085] The term "amino acid" as used herein refers to substituted natural and unnatural
amino acid with D- or L- configuration or the mixture in which amino and acid groups are used
to derivatize the contemplated compounds.
[0086] It should further be recognized that all of the above-defined groups may further be
substituted with one or more substituents, which may in turn be substituted as well. For
example, an "alkyl" as used herein encompasses alkyls substituted with a heteroatom.
[0087] The term "substituted" as used herein refers to a replacement of an atom or chemical
group (e.g., H, NH2, or OH) with a functional group, and particularly contemplated functional
groups include nucleophilic groups (e.g., -NH2, -OH, -SH, -NC, etc.), electrophilic groups (e.g.,
C(0)OR, C(X)OH, etc.), polar groups (e.g., -OH), non-polar groups (e.g., heterocycle, aryl,
alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, etc.), ionic groups (e.g., -NH3+), and halogens (e.g, -F, -CI), NHCOR,
NHCONH2, OCH2COOH, OCH2CONH2, OCH2CONHR, NHCH2COOH, NHCH2CONH2,
NHSO2R, OCH2-heterocycles, PO3H, SO3H, amino acids, and various combinations known in
the art. Moreover, the term "substituted" also includes multiple degrees of substitution, and
where multiple substituents are disclosed or claimed, the substituted compound can be
independently substituted by one or more of the disclosed or claimed substituent moieties.
[0088] The term "organo sulfur derivative" as used herein refers to an organic compound
containing two or more "S" atoms. The term "disulfide", "trisulfide", '^tetrasulfide" or
pentasulfide" as used herein refers to a moiety where two, three, four, or five sulfur atoms
connect in a linear chain (-S-S-S-), where one or two or three of them may be further oxidized
into S=0 or S02, and where the di-, tri-, tetra- and penta-sulfide derivatives are substituted with

two functional, aryl, alkenyl, heterocyclic groups or substituents at the two ends of the di-, tri-,
terra- and penta-sulfide (R-S-(S)0-3-S-R). Two or more trisulfide (-S-S-S-) moieties may be
connected together by an aromatic or linear chain, which also refers to "trisulfide" or organo
sulfide. One or two trisulfide or organo sulfide moieties may be connected together to form
cyclic ring systems.
B. Substituted Organo Sulfur Derivatives and Pharmaceutical Compositions
Thereof
[0089] The present invention compounds having formula

wherein A and B are the same or different, and are independently an optionally
substituted aryl, heteroaryl, or a 5-14 membered ring which may be monocyclic or multicyclic
and optionally containing a heteroatom;
each S is optionally in the form of an oxide;
S1 and S2 are independently S, SO or S02;
each R is H, halogen, carboxyl, cyano, amino, amido, an amino acid, an inorganic
substituent, SR1, OR1 or R1, wherein each R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, a
carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring, each of which is optionally substituted and may contain a
heteroatom;
m, n and p are independently 0-3;
or a compound having formula (3) or (4):

wherein A, B, R, S, n and p are as defined above;
or a compound having formula (5):


wherein A, B, S, n and p are as defined above; and
Z is (CR^q or (CR'^CR1),* wherein q is 0-3 and the * represents that C=C maybe
replaced with alkynyl, O, S, NR; or Z is an optionally substituted aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclic
ring;
wherein A and B together may form a cyclic ring system;
and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug or metabolite thereof;
provided said compound is not dibenzyltrisulfide, di(p-chlorobenzyl)trisulfide,
(p-chlorobenzyl)benzyltrisulfide, di(p-nitrobenzyl)trisulfide, di(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-trisulfide,
diphenyltrisulfide, or di(p-t-butylphenyl)trisulfide.
[0090] In other embodiments, each R in the above formula 1-5 may be a non-interfering
substituent. In general, a "noninterfering substituent" is a substituent whose presence does not
destroy the ability of a compound to behave as a therapeutic agent. For example, a non-
interfering substituent may improve potency and PK properties. In another example, the non-
interfering substituent may reduce toxicity. Suitable noninterfering substituents include halo,
nitro, carboxyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, alkoxy, alkylthio,
arylalkynyl, heterocycles, amino acids, each of which may further be substituted with one or
more non-interfering substituents. Noninterfering substituents may also include COOR, SR,
OR, wherein R is also a non-interfering substituent, as defined above.
[0091] In the above formula 1-5, A and B may independently be


where X and W are independently S, O, NR7, CR7;
or one W in a 6-membered monocyclic or bicyclic ring may be a bond; and
each Ri, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 is as previously defined.
[0092] In other embodiments, each Ri, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R?may be a polar or non-polar
substituent. In other examples, each Ri, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 may be a nucleophilic or
electrophilic non-interfering substituent
[0093] The present invention also encompasses compounds having formula 1-5, as well as
their salts and prodrugs. Such salts, for example, may be formed from a positively charged
substitute group (e.g. an amino group on A and / or B) on a compound and a pharmaceutically
suitable anion. Suitable anions include, but not limited to, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate,
nitrate, phosphate, citrate, methanesulfonate, trifluoroacetate, maleate, and acetate.
Pharmaceutically acceptable salts may also be formed from a negatively charged substituted
group (e.g., carboxylate group on A and / or B) on a compound and a cation. Non-limiting
examples of suitable cations are sodium ion, potassium ion, magnesium ion, calcium ion, and a
organic ammonium ion such as teteramethylammonium ion, tetrabutylammonium ion, and other
organic cations.
[0094] The trisulfides may be synthesized following procedures as illustrated in Scheme 1.
For example, the aromatic or heterocyclic methylene halides (X = I or Br or CI) are reacted with

thiourea. The resulted isothiouronium halides are treated with sodium hydroxide to provide the
corresponding thiol derivatives (Furniss, B. S.; Hannaford, A. J.; Rogers, V.; Smith, P. W. G.;
Tatchell, A. R. Vogel 's Textbook of Practical Organic Chemistry, Longman Group Limited,
London, 1978, pp 582-583).

Scheme 1. Synthetic methods for the symmetric and unsymmetric trisulfides
[0095] The symmetric bisulfide derivatives may be synthesized using Method A. In
Method A, /V-trime&ylsilylimidazole is reacted with sulfur dichloride. The resulting di-
imidazolylsulfide is then reacted with thiol to give the corresponding trisulfides. Method B can
be used to synthesize symmetric and asymmetric trisulfides. In Method B, the first thiol is
reacted with sulfur dichloride quantitatively at low temperature. The resulting intermediate
thiosulfenyl chloride is then reacted with the second thiol to provide the desired asymmetric or
symmetric trisulfide, depending on the thiol used in the second step.
[0096] The representative aromatic methylene thiols 1-6 (Scheme 2) may be synthesized
using the similar procedure as described in Vogel's Practical Organic Chemistry, pp 582-583. In
addition, symmetric trisulfide derivatives 7-32 (Scheme 2) were synthesized by Method A
similar to the reported procedure (Banerji, A.; Kalena, G. P. Tetrahedron Letters 1980,21,
3003-3004). For example, sulfur dichloride (14 mmol) in anhydrous hexanes or
dichloromethane was added to a stirred solution of TV-trimethylsilylimidazole (28 mmol) in
hexanes at room temperature. After stirring for 30 minutes, the reaction mixture was cooled to 0

°C, and a solution of designated thiol (28 mmol) in anhydrous hexanes was added dropwise for a
period of 30 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes, and the precipitated
imidazole by-product was filtered off. The filtrate was washed with water and brine, and dried
over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was evaporated, and the residue is purified by flash
chromatography on a silica gel column using hexanes-ethyl acetate 100 : 1 to 20 : 1 as eluents to
provide desired trisulfides 7-32 in 60-90% yields. The aromatic trisulfides 33-39 were
synthesized by the similar procedure in 30-70% yields.
[0100] Di(p-fluorobenzyI)trisulfide (8). Trisulfide 8 was synthesized in 77% yield. The
white crystalline was obtained by chromatographic purification followed by recrystallization
from hexanes. Silica gel TLC R/= 0.46 (40:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). JH NMR (499.1 MHz,
CDC13) 5 4.00 (s, 4H), 7.01 (t, 4H, J= 8.8 Hz), 7.27 (dd, 4H, J= 8.8, 5.4 Hz); 13C NMR (125.7
MHz, CDCI3) 542.4,115.6, 115.8,131.2,131,3,132.4,162.5 (C-F,J=250Hz); 19FNMR
(376.5 MHz, CDCI3) 5 -114.2; ES MS m/z 337 / 338 (M + Na)+; Anal. Calcd. for C14H12F2S3: C,
53.48; H, 3.85; S, 30.59. Found: C, 53.16; H, 4.22; S, 30.24.
[0101] DiO>chlorobenzyl)trisulfide (9). Trisulfide 9 was synthesized in 90% yield. The
white crystalline was obtained by chromatographic purification followed by recrystallization
from hexanes. Silica gel TLC R/= 0.45 (40:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). *H NMR (499.1 MHz,
CDC13) 5 3.98 (s, 4H), 7.22 (d, 4H, J= 8.4 Hz), 7.29 (d, 4H, /= 8.4 Hz).


Scheme 2. Synthetic the symmetric bisulfides by Method A
[0102J Di(/«-trifluoromethyIbenzyI)trisuffide (12). Trisulfide 12 was synthesized in 99%
yield. The white crystalline was obtained by chromatographic purification followed by
recrystallization from hexanes. Silica gel TLC R/= 0.33 (40:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). JH NMR
(499.1 MHz, CDC13) 5 4.04 (s, 4H), 7.41-7.49 (m, 4H), 7.51-7.58 (m, 4H).

[0103] Di(benzo[B)thiophen-3-yl-methane)trisuIfide (22). Trisulfide 22 was synthesized
in 45% yield. The white solid was obtained by chromatographic purification. Silica gel TLC R/=
0.45 (40:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). 'H NMR (499.1 MHz, CDC13) 5 3.74 (s, 4H), 7.01 (s, 2H),
7.34_7.45 (m) 4H), 7.75 (d, 2H, J= 1.4 Hz), 7.85 (dd, 2H, J= 7.8,1.1 Hz). ES MS m/z 391 (M
+ H)+,413(M + Na)+.
[0104] Di(p-bromobenzyl)trisulfide (25). Trisulfide 25 was synthesized in 84% yield. The
white crystalline was obtained by chromatographic purification followed by recrystallization
from hexanes. Silica gel TLC R/= 0.55 (40:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). *H NMR (499.1 MHz,
CDC13) 5 3.96 (s, 4H), 7.17 (d, 4H, J= 8.3 Hz), 7.45 (d, 4H, J= 8.3 Hz).
[0105] Di(p-methylbenzyl)trisulfide (26). Trisulfide 26 was synthesized in 99% yield. The
white crystalline was obtained by chromatographic purification followed by recrystallization
from hexanes. Silica gel TLC R/= 0.66 (40:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). 'H NMR (499.1 MHz,
CDCI3) 8 2.33 (s, 6H), 4.01 (s, 4H), 7.14 (d, 4H, J= 8.0 Hz), 7.21 (d, 4H, J= 8.0 Hz).
[0106] Dis(p-f-butylbenzyl)trisulfide (28). Trisulfide 28 was synthesized in 96% yield.
The white crystalline was obtained by chromatographic purification followed by
recrystallization from hexanes. Silica gel TLC R/= 0.50 (40:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). *H NMR
(499.1 MHz, CDCI3) 5 1.30 (s, 18H), 4.02 (s, 4H), 7.25 (d, 4H, J= 8.3 Hz), 7.35 (d, 4H, J=
8.3 Hz).
[0107] Di(o-chIorobenzyl)trisulfide (30). Trisulfide 30 was synthesized in 77% yield. The
white crystalline was obtained by chromatographic purification followed by recrystallization
from hexanes. Silica gel TLC R/= 0.44 (40:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). *H NMR (499.1 MHz,
CDCI3) 6 4.17 (s, 4H), 7.23-7.28 (m, 4H), 7.35-7.43 (m, 4H).


Scheme 3. Synthetic the symmetric trisulfides by Method B
[0108] Di(2,4,6-trintethylbenzyl)trisulfide (32). Trisulfide 32 was synthesized in 59%
yield. The white crystalline was obtained by chromatographic purification followed by
recrystallization from hexanes. Silica gel TLC R/-= 0.65 (40:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). lH NMR
(499.1 MHz, CDC13) 6 2.27 (s, 6H), 2.42 (s, 12 H), 4.23 (s, 4H), 6.87 (s, 4H).
[0109] Di(p-niethoxyphenyl)trisulfide (33). Trisulfide 33 was synthesized in 98% yield.
The white crystalline was obtained by chromatographic purification followed by

recrystallization from hexanes. Silica gel TLC Ry= 0.32 (20:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). 'H NMR
(499.1 MHz, CDC13) 5 3.80 (s, 4H), 6.81 (d, 4H, J= 8.8 Hz), 7.47 (d, 4H, /= 8.8 Hz).
[0110] Di(4-trifluoromethylpyridin-2-yl)trisulfide (34). Trisulfide 34 was synthesized in
53% yield. The white crystalline was obtained by chromatographic purification followed by
recrystallization from hexanes. Silica gel TLC R/= 0.61 (10:1 hexanes-ethyl acetate). lH NMR
(499.1 MHz, CDCI3) 5 7.70 (d, 4H, J= 8.4 Hz), 7.84 (dd, 4H, J= 8.4,2.4 Hz), 8.73 (s, 2H).
[0111] The asymmetric trisulfide derivatives listed in Tables 1-8 may be synthesized
following similar procedures as for compounds 41-68, using the corresponding thiol.











[0112] The di-substituted(trisulfide) derivatives listed in Schemes 4 and 5 may be
synthesized by similar procedures (Method B). For example, a solution of 1,3-
benzenedimethanethiol or 2-butene-l,4-dithiol (10 mrnol) and anhydrous pyridine (20 mmol) in
30 mL of diethyl ether is added dropwise over a period of 30 minutes to a cold (-78 °C) stirred
solution of sulfur dichloride (20 mmol) in 80 mL of anhydrous diethyl ether. The reaction
mixture is stirred for 30 minutes. The corresponding second thiol (20 mmol) and anhydrous
pyridine (20 mmol) in 40 mL of diethyl ether is added dropwise over a period of 30 minutes at -
78 °C, and the reaction mixture is further stirred for an additional 30 minutes. The reaction
mixture is washed with water (2 times), 1 N sodium hydroxide solution (2 times), and then water
(2 times) until pH is neutral. The organic phase is dried over CaCh or anhydrous sodium sulfate,
filtered and concentrated. The residue is passed through a short pad of silica gel using hexanes-
ethyl acetate as eluent to provide di-substituted bisulfides in 40-90% yields.



[0113] The trisulfide derivatives may be synthesized by the methods described above or by
the approach illustrated in Scheme 6. The tetra- and penta-sulfide derivatives are synthesized by
the similar strategy based on the reported procedure (Sinha, P.; Jundu, A.; Roy, S.; Prabhakar,
S.; Vairamani, M.; Sankar, A. R.; Kunwar, A. C. Organometallics 2001, 20, 157-162).


[0114] The symmetric or asymmetric sulfenic sulfonic thioanhydride derivatives (Scheme 7)
can be synthesized based on the reported procedures (Karpp, D. N.; Gleason, J. G.; Ash, D. K. J.
Org. Chem. 1971,36,322-326; and Harpp, D. N.; Ash, D. K.; Smith, R. A. J. Org. Chem. 1979,
44,4135-4140).
[0115] The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising an
effective amount of a compound having formula 1-5 optionally with an antiproliferative agent,
and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. As used herein, an "effective amount" refers to the
amount of the compound which is required to confer a therapeutic effect on the treated subject.
The effective amount or dose will vary as recognized by those skilled in the art, depending on
the types of tumors treated, route of administration, and possible co-administration with other
therapeutic treatments such as use of other anti-tumor agents or radiation therapy.
[0116] As used herein, the term "antiproliferative agent" refers to a therapeutic agent that
may be used for treating or ameliorating a cell proliferative disorder such as tumors or cancer.
Examples of antiproliferative agents include but are not limited to an antineoplastic agent, an
alkylating agent, a plant alkaloid, an antimicrobial agent, a sulfonamide, an antiviral agent, a
platinum agent, and other anticancer agents known in the art. Particular examples of
antiproliferative agents include but are not limited to cisplatin, carboplatin, busulphan,
methotrexate, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, mephalan, vincristine, vinblastine,
chlorambucil, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and others known in the art. (See e.g., Goodman &
Gilman's, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (9th Ed) (Goodman, et ah, eds.)
(McGraw-Hill) (1996); and 1999 Physician's Desk Reference (1998)).
[0117] Any suitable formulation of the compounds described herein may be prepared. In
cases where compounds are sufficiently basic or acidic to form stable nontoxic acid or base salts,
administration of the compounds as salts may be appropriate. Examples of pharmaceutically
acceptable salts are organic acid addition salts formed with acids that form a physiological
acceptable anion, for example, tosylate, methanesulfonate, acetate, citrate, malonate, tartarate,
succinate, benzoate, ascorbate, a-ketoglutarate, and a-glycerophosphate. Suitable inorganic salts
may also be formed, including hydrochloride, sulfate, nitrate, bicarbonate, and carbonate salts.
Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are obtained using standard procedures well known in the art,
for example, by a sufficiently basic compound such as an amine with a suitable acid, affording a
physiologically acceptable anion. Alkali metal (e.g., sodium, potassium or lithium) or alkaline
earth metal (e.g., calcium) salts of carboxylic acids also are made.

[0118] The compounds having formula 1-5 as described herein are generally soluble in
organic solvents such as chloroform, dichloromefhane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol,
isopropanol, acetonitrile, glycerol, N, N-dimethylformamide, TV.A'-dimetheylaceatmide,
dimethylsulfoxide, etc. In one embodiment, the present invention provides formulations
prepared by admixing a compound having formula 1-5 with a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier. In one aspect, the formulation may be prepared using a method comprising: a)
dissolving a compound of claim 1 in a water-soluble organic solvent, a non-ionic solvent, a
water-soluble lipid, a cyclodextrin, a vitamin such as tocopherol, a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester, a
phospholipid, or a combination thereof, to provide a solution; and b) adding saline our a buffer
containing 1-10% carbohydrate solution. In one example, the carbohydrate comprises dextrose.
The pharmaceutical compositions obtained using the present methods are stable and useful for
animal and clinical applications.
[0119] Illustrative examples of water soluble organic solvents for use in the present methods
include and are not limited to polyethylene glycol (PEG), alcohols, acetonitrile, 7V-methyl-2-
pyrrolidone, N,A7-dimemylformamide, A^TV-dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, or a
combination thereof. Examples of alcohols include but are not limited to methanol, ethanol,
isopropanol, glycerol, or propylene glycol.
[0120] Illustrative examples of water soluble non-ionic surfactants for use in the present
methods include but are not limited to polyoxyethyleneglycerol-triricinoleat 35, PEG-succinate,
polysorbate 20, polysorbate 80, polyethylene glycol 660 12-hydroxystearate, sorbitan
monooleate, poloxamer, ethoxylated persic oil, capryl-caproyl macrogol-8-glyceride, glycerol
ester,PEG 6 caprylic glyceride, glycerin, glycol-polysorbate, or a combination thereof.
Particular examples of non-ionic surfacts are polyethylene glycol modified CREMOPHOR®
(polyoxyethyleneglyceroltriricinoleat 35), CREMOPHOR® EL, hydrogenated CREMOPHOR®
RH40, hydrogenated CREMOPHOR® RH60, SOLUTOL® HS (polyethylene glycol 660 12-
hydroxystearate), LABRAFIL® (ethoxylated persic oil), LABRASOL® (capryl-caproyl
macrogol-8-glyceride), GELUCIRE® (glycerol ester), and SOFTIGEN® (PEG 6 caprylic
glyceride).
[0121] Illustrative examples of water soluble lipids for use in the present methods include
but are not limited to vegetable oils, triglycerides, plant oils, or a combination thereof.
Examples of lipid oils include but are not limited to castor oil, polyoxyl castor oil, com oil, olive
oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, peppermint oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil,

hydrogenated vegetable oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, a triglyceride of coconut oil, palm seed
oil, and hydrogenated forms thereof, or a combination thereof.
[0122] Illustrative examples of fatty acids and fatty acid esters for use in the present methods
include but are not limited to oleic acid, monoglycerides, diglycerides, a mono- or di-fatty acid
ester of PEG, or a combination thereof.
[0123] Illustrative examples of cyclodextrins for use in the present methods include but are
not limited to alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin, or
sulfobutyl ether-beta-cyclodextrin.
[0124] Illustrative examples of phospholipids for use in the present methods include but are
not limited to soy phosphatidylcholine, or distearoyl phosphatidylglycerol, and hydrogenated
forms thereof, or a combination thereof.
[0125] One of ordinary skill in the art may modify the formulations within the teachings of
the specification to provide numerous formulations for a particular route of administration. In
particular, the compounds may be modified to render them more soluble in water or other
vehicle. It is also well within the ordinary skill of the art to modify the route of administration
and dosage regimen of a particular compound in order to manage the pharmacokinetics of the
present compounds for maximum beneficial effect in a patient.
C. Methods of Using Substituted Organo Sulfur Derivatives and
Pharmaceutical Compositions Thereof
[0126] The compounds as described herein may be used as cytotoxic and/or cytostatic agents
in treating cancers or other types of proliferative disease. These compounds may function
through any type of action mechanisms. For example, the compounds may inhibit G2/M
progression of the cell cycle, which might eventually induce apoptosis in tumor cells (see, e.g.,
Weung, et al. Biochim. Biophys. Res. Comm. 1997,263,398-404). Some compounds may
disrupt tubulin assembly, and other compounds may disrupt tubulin disassembly, which may
inhibit cell mitosis and induce cell apoptosis (see, e.g., Panda, et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,
1997,94,10560-10564). The compounds may also inhibit endothelial cell proliferation and
angiogenesis effect (see, e.g., Witte, et al. Cancer Metastasis Rev. 1998,17,155-161).
[0127] The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of
a cell proliferative disorder, comprising any compound having formula 1-5, including but not
limited to dibenzyltrisulfide, di(p-chlorobenzyl)trisulfide, (p-chloroben2yl)ben2yltrisulfide,

di(p-nitrobenzyl)trisulfide, di(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-trisuIfide, diphenyltrisulfide,
or di(p-t-butylphenyl)trisulfide.
[0128] To practice the method of the present invention, compounds having formula 1-5 and
pharmaceutical compositions thereof may be administered orally, parenterally, by inhalation
spray, topically, rectally, nasally, buccally, vaginally, via an implanted reservoir, or other drug
administration methods. The term "parenteral" as used herein includes subcutaneous,
intracutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular, intraarterial, intrasynovial, intrasternal,
intrathecal, intralesional and intracranial injection or infusion techniques.
[0129] A sterile injectable composition, such as a sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous
suspension, may be formulated according to techniques known in the art using suitable
dispersing of wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also
be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally acceptable diluent or
solvent. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed include mannitol,
water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloride solution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are
conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium (e.g., synthetic mono- or
diglycerides). Fatty acids, such as oleic acid and its glyceride derivatives, are useful in the
preparation of injectables, as are pharmaceutically acceptable oils, such as olive oil or castor oil,
especially in their polyoxyethylated versions. These oil solutions or suspensions can also
contain a long-chain alcohol diluent or dispersant, or carboxymethyl cellulose or similar
dispersing agents. Various emulsifying agents or bioavailability enhancers which are commonly
used in the manufacture of pharmaceutically acceptable solid, liquid, or other dosage forms can
also be used for the purpose of formulation.
[0130] A composition for oral administration may be any orally acceptable dosage form
including, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, emulsions and aqueous suspensions, dispersions
and solutions. In the case of tablets for oral use, commonly used carriers include lactose and
corn starch. Lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate, can also be added. For oral
administration in a capsule form, useful diluents include lactose and dried com starch. When
aqueous suspensions or emulsions are administered orally, the active ingredient can be
suspended or dissolved in an oily phase combined with emulsifying or suspending agents. If
needed, certain sweetening, flavoring, or coloring agents can be added. A nasal aerosol or
inhalation compositions can be prepared according to techniques well-known in the art of
pharmaceutical formulation and can be prepared as solutions in, for example saline, employing

suitable preservatives (for example, benzyl alcohol), absorption promoters to enhance
bioavailability, and/or other solubilizing or dispersing agents known in the art.
[0131] In addition, the compounds having formula 1-5 may be administered alone or in
combination with other anticancer agents for the treatment of various cancers or conditions.
Combination therapies according to the present invention comprise the administration of at least
one compound of the present invention or a functional derivative thereof and at least one other
pharmaceutically active ingredient. The active ingredient(s) and pharmaceutically active agents
may be administered separately or together. The amounts of the active ingredient(s) and
pharmaceutically active agent(s) and the relative timings of administration will be selected in
order to achieve the desired combined therapeutic effect.
[0132] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of treating or
ameliorating a cancer of a tissue or organ, including but not limited to leukemia, lymphoma,
lung cancer, colon cancer, CNS cancer, melanoma, ovarian cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer,
breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, renal cancer, and other types of proliferative disease
comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having formula 1-5.
[0133] In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of treatment of
restenosis after coronary stenting for patients with coronary artery diseases with a compound
having formula 1-5, such as dibenzyl trisulfide and other substituted trisulfide derivatives. One
of the main causes of restenosis after coronary stenting for patients with coronary artery disease
is neointimal hyperplasia which may result from the proliferation and migration of smooth-
muscle cells and extracellular matrix productions (see, for example, "Pathology of acute and
chronic coronary stenting in humans", by Farb, A., Sangiorgi, G., Certer, A. J., et al.
Circulation, 1999,99,44-52). Compounds that have anti-proliferation capability may have an
effect in reducing the risk of clinical and angiographic restenosis when such compounds are
delivered with a suitable means (see, for example, "A polymer-based, paclitaxel-eluting stent in
patients with coronary artery disease", by Stone, G. W., Ellis, S. G., Cox, D. A, et al. New Engl.
J. Med., 2004,350,221-231). Thus, dibenzyl trisulfide and other compounds having formula 1-
5 may also be useful in inhibiting proliferation of the cells involved in neointimal hyperplasia
and thus reducing the incidence of neointimal hyperplasia and restenosis.
[0134] Various methods may be used to effectively deliver compounds having formula 1-5
to their target, such as cells. For example, a composition comprising dibenzyl trisulfide, or a
another compound having formula 1-5 maybe administered orally, parenterally, or via an
implanted reservoir. In other examples, the approaches described in the following papers hereby

incorporated by reference, may also be used: "A polymer-based, paclitaxel-eluting stent in
patients with coronary artery disease", by Stone, G. W., Ellis, S. G., Cox, D.A. et al. New Engl.
J. Med. 2004, 350,221-231; "A randomized comparison of a sirolirnus-emting stent with a
standard stent for coronary revascularization", by Morice, M.-C, Serruys, P. W., Sousa, J. E., et
al. New Engl. J. Med. 2002, 346, 1773-1780; "Sirolimus-eluting stents versus standard stents in
patients with stenosis in a native coronary artery", by Moses, J. W., Leon, M. B., Popma, J. J., et
al, New Engl. J. Med. 2003, 349,1315-1323.
[0135] The anticancer efficacy of dibenzyl trisulfide and substituted organo sulfur analogues
described above may be preliminarily screened in vitro using a penal of cancer cell lines by
standard endpoint assay formats (see below for the detailed description), or by real time
electronic cell sensing (RT-CES) system, which provides dynamic cell response information
after exposing to an anticancer agent. Several endpoint cell-based screening assay formats for
anticancer agent discovery and validation may be used. For example, National Cancer Institute
(NCI) provides an endpoint cytotoxicity assay system using a panel of 60 cancer cell lines,
which can be used for a large scale of cell-based screening of anticancer agents. (See, e.g.,
Monks, A., etal. J Natl. Cancer Inst. 1991, 83, 757-766; Alley, M. C, et al. Cancer Res. 1988,
48, 589-601; Shoemaker, R. H., etal. Proc. Clin. Biol. Res. 1988,276, 265-286; and Stinson, et
al. Proc. Am. Asso. Cancer Res. 1989,30, 613).
[0136] In this screening method, cell suspension that is diluted to a desired cell
concentration is added into wells of a 96-well microtiter plate so that each well is having
solution about 100 microliters with cell number between thousands (for example, 5000) and tens
of thousands (for example, 40,000). The number of cells added to individual wells depends on
cell type, cell size, cell growth characteristics. Cells in the plate are incubated at 37 °C,
saturated humidity and 5% CO2 atmosphere in a standard cell culture incubator for about 24 hrs.
Compounds of interest are prepared into test solutions with serial diluted concentrations. In one
example, the dilution factor in the serial diluted solutions is 10-fold (or 2-, 3-, 4-fold) and five
(or six to ten) different concentrations with a ratio of highest concentration to lowest
concentration of 10,000. Other dilution factors and other various concentrations may also be
used. Typically, the highest concentration of the test compound is 10^ M. About 100
microliters of test solutions are added into each well at 24 hours after initial cell seeding into
wells. Test solutions of each compound concentration are added into at least two wells for
replicating purpose. The test compound may be dissolved in an organic solvent such as DMSO,

and the 100 microliter test solutions may be a mixture of aqueous solution with the organic
solvent-based solution or suspension.
[0137] After compound addition, cells are then incubated with the compound for additional
48 hours at 37 °C in 5% C02 atmosphere and saturated humidity. The cells can then be assayed
for their viable cell numbers by various assays, for example, the sulforhodamine B assay (as
described by Rubinstein, L.V., etal. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 1990, 82,1113-1118; and Skehan, P.,
et al J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 1990, 82,1107-1112). A plate reader is then used to read the optical
densities and an IC50 value, the concentration of drug that causes 50% growth inhibition, (or
GI50 value to emphasize the correction for the cells counted at time zero), is derived based on the
dose response curves. Thus, GI50 values are used to measure the growth inhibitory power of the
test compound. See Boyd, et al in Cytotoxic Anticancer Drugs: Models and Concepts for Drug
Discoveiy and Development; Vleriote, F. A., Corbett T. H., Baker L. H. (Eds.); Kluwer
Academic: Hingham, Mass., 1992, pp 11-34.
[01381 In another assay format, a test compound is assayed for its cytotoxicity and/or
cytostatic effect on certain cancer cell types, using endpoint assay methods. Cells in the NCI
cancer cell panel may be used. Cells after a pre-incubation for certain length of time (for
example, 8 hrs or 24 hrs) are incubated with a test compound at serially-diluted concentrations
(for example, five 10-fold dilutions) for 24 hrs and/or 48 hrs, and/or other specific length of
time. The dose dependent cytotoxicity and/or cytostatic effects of test compounds can then be
tested and evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide
(MTT) assay method, as described by, for example, Boyd (In Principle of Practice of Oncology,
Devita, J. T., Hellman, S. and Rosenberg S. A. (Eds), 1989, Vol, 3, PPO Update, No. 10).
[0139] Another in vitro assay may be used to evaluate the effect of compounds in arresting
the cell cycle progression. More specifically, a test compound is added to cells of certain cell
lines in a concentration-dependent manner. After cells are incubated for certain specific length
of time, cells are stained using propidium iodide and are used for flow cytometric assessment.
The cell populations of sub-GO/Gl, G0/G1, S and G2/M phases are determined. All above in
vitro assays are cell-based, single-time point (or multiple-time points using multiple plates) end-
point assays.
[0140] Test compounds may also be screened using a novel in vitro cell-based screening
assay system based on the electronic measurement of cell-substrate or cell-electrode
impedances. In contrast to all the endpoint assay systems, the cell-based screening assay
system allows for real time monitoring dynamic response of cancer cells to anticancer agents

without labeling cells. This system can also be used for a large scale of in vitro cell-based high
throughput screening of anticancer agents. The approach features in the integration of molecular
and cell biology with microelectronics and is based on the electronic detection of biological
assay process.
[0141] The details of this cell electronic sensing technology, called real-time cell electronic
sensing (RT-CES™) and associated devices, systems and methods of use are described in
United States provisional application number 60/397,749, filed on July 20, 2002; United States
provisional application number 60/435,400, filed on December 20,2002; United States
Provisional application 60/469,572, filed on May 9,2003, PCT application number
PCT/US03/22557, filed on July 18, 2003; PCT application number PCT/US03/22537, filed on
July 18, 2003; PCT application number PCT/US04/37696, filed on November 12, 2004; PCT
application number PCT/US05/04481, filed on February 9,2005; United States patent
application number 10/705,447, filed on November 10, 2003; United States patent application
number 10/705,615, filed on November 10,2003; United States patent application number
10/987,732, filed on November 12, 2004; United States patent application number 11/055,639,
filed on February 9, 2005, each of which is incorporated by reference. Additional details of RT-
CES technology is further disclosed in United States provisional application number 60/519,567,
filed on November 12,2003, and United States provisional application number 60/542,927, filed
on February 9,2004, United States provisional application number 60/548,713, filed on
February 27,2004, United States provisional application number 60/598,608, filed on
August 4, 2004; United States provisional application number 60/598,609, filed on
August 4, 2004; United States provisional application number 60/613,749, filed on
September 27,2004; United States provisional application number 60/613,872, filed on
September 27,2004; United States provisional application number 60/614,601, filed on
September 29, 2004; United States provisional application number 60/630,071, filed on
November 22,2004; United States provisional application number 60/630,131, filed on
November 22,2004, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0142] For measurement of cell-substrate or cell-electrode impedance using RT-CES
technology, microelectrodes having appropriate geometries are fabricated onto the bottom
surfaces of microliter plate or similar device, facing into the wells. Cells are introduced into the
wells of the devices, and make contact to and attach to the electrode surfaces. The presence,
absence or change of properties of cells affects the electronic and ionic passage on the electrode
sensor surfaces. Measuring the impedance between or among electrodes provides important

information about biological status of cells present on the sensors. When there are changes to
the biological status of the cells analogue, electronic readout signals are measured automatically
and in real time, and are converted to digital signals for processing and analysis. In a RT-CES
system, a cell index is automatically derived and provided based on measured electrode
impedance values. The cell index obtained for a given well reflects : 1) how many cells are
attached to the electrode surfaces in this well; 2) how well cells are attached to the electrode
surfaces in this well. Thus, the more the cells of same type in similar physiological conditions
attach the electrode surfaces, the larger the cell index. And, the better the cells attach to the
electrode surfaces (e.g., the cells spread-out more to have larger contact areas, or the cells attach
tighter to electrode surfaces), the larger the cell index.
[0143] Through the use of the RT-CES system, dibenzyl trisulfide has been shown to inhibit
proliferation of a variety of cancer types. Dibenzyl trisulfide has not previously been found
using standard endpoint assays. Negative conclusions that dibenzyl trisulfide has no
antiproliferation activity were made by the previous researchers ^Discovery of novel inducers
of cellular differentiation using HL-60 promyelocyte cells", Mata-Greenwood, E., Ito, A.,
Westernburg, H., Cui, B., Mehta, R. G., Kinghorn, A. D. and Pezzuto, J. M. Anticancer Res.
2001,21,1763-1770).
[0144] To evaluate the anticancer efficacy and to predict possible mechanisms of the
anticancer action of the dibenzyl trisulfide, ten anticancer compounds were tested with known
mechanisms of action side by side with dibenzyl trisulfide utilizing a panel of 12 cancer cell
lines. The time-dependent, cell responsive patterns of dibenzyl trisulfide (at certain
concentrations) were somewhat similar to those of paclitaxel, vinblastine and colceimid (at
certain concentrations). Thus, dibenzyl trisulfide may have mechanisms of anticancer action
similar to those of paclitaxel, vinblastine, and colceimid. Dibenzyl trisulfide may act on cancer
cells through other mechanisms of action, different from those of paclitaxel, vinblastine and
colceimid. It is also possible that dibenzyl trisulfide act on cancer cells through multiple
mechanisms of action, including the mechanism of action similar to those of pacliotaxel,
vinblastine and colceimid.
[0145] In addition to the in vitro cell models and assay formats, anti-tumor activity of
compounds can be further assessed and evaluated by in vivo animal models with transplanted
cancer. Most in vivo models are mouse models.

In vitro cell-based screening using real-time cell electronic sensing (RT-CES) system
[0146] The RT-CES system comprises three components, an electronic sensor analyzer, a
device station and 16X or 96X microtiter plate devices. Microelectrode sensor array was
fabricated on glass slides with lithographical microfabrication methods and the electrode-
containing slides are assembled to plastic trays to form electrode-containing wells. Each 16X
(or 96X) microtiter plate device used in RT-CES system comprises up to 16 (or 96) such
electrode-containing wells. The device station receives the 16X or 96X microtiter plate devices
and is capable of electronically switching any one of the wells to the sensor analyzer for
impedance measurement. In operation, the devices with cells cultured in the wells are placed
into a device station that is located inside an incubator. Electrical cables connect the device
station to the sensor analyzer. Under the RT-CES software control, the sensor analyzer can
automatically select wells to be measured and continuously conduct impedance measurements.
The impedance data from the analyzer is transferred to a computer, analyzed and processed by
the integrated software.
[0147] Impedance measured between electrodes in an individual well depends on electrode
geometry, ionic concentration in the well and whether there are cells attached to the electrodes.
In the absence of the cells, electrode impedance is mainly determined by the ion environment
both at the electrode/solution interface and in the bulk solution. In the presence of the cells,
cells attached to the electrode sensor surfaces will alter the local ionic environment at the
electrode/solution interface, leading to an increase in the impedance. The more cells there are
on the electrodes, the larger the increase in cell-electrode impedance. Furthermore, the
impedance change also depends on cell morphology and the extent to which cells attach to the
electrodes.
[0148] To quantify cell status based on the measured cell-electrode impedance, a parameter
termed Cell Index is derived, according to

where Rb(f) and R^Af) are the frequency dependent electrode resistances (a component of
impedance) without cells or with cell present, respectively. N is the number of the frequency
points at which the impedance is measured. Thus, Cell Index is a quantitative measure of the
status of the cells in an electrode-containing well. Under the same physiological conditions,
more cells attached on to the electrodes leads to larger Rcel! (/) value, leading to a larger value

for Cell Index. Furthermore, for the same number of cells present in the well, a change in the
cell status such as morphology will lead to a change in the Cell Index. For example, an increase
in cell adhesion or cell spreading leads to larger cell-electrode contact area which will lead to an
increase in Rcell{f) and thus a larger value for Cell Index. The Cell Index may also be
calculated using a formula different from the one described here. Other methods for calculating
the Cell Index based on impedance measurement can be found in PCT application number
PCT/US04/37696, fined on November 12,2004, PCT application number PCT/US05/04481,
filed on February 9,2005, US patent application number 10/987,732, filed on November 12,
2004, and US patent application number 11/055,639, filed on February 9,2005.
[0149] Different types of human cancer cells, including NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung
cancer cells), MV522 SW (non-small cell lung cancer cells), MCF7 (breast cancer cells), A549
(non-small cell lung cancer cells), PC3 (prostate cancer cells), A431 (epidermoid cancer cells),
HT1080 (fibrosarcoma cells), MDA.MB2321 (breast cancer cells), HT29 (colon cancer cells),
HCC2998 (colon cancer cells), OVCAR4 (ovarian cancer cells), A2780 (ovarian cancer cells)
and HepG2 (human hepatosarcoma) with different numbers (4000 to 20,000 per well) were
seeded into 16X or 96X microliter device and monitored by RT-CES™ system. The cells were
allowed to grow for about 24 hours prior to the addition of dibenzyl trisulfide dissolved in
DMSO solution (final DMSO concentration: 0.2%; final dibenzyl trisulfide concentration:
between 1.5625 uM and 100 uM). The cell-electrode impedance was continuously measured
and the corresponding, time dependent cell-index values were derived and recorded.
[0150] Figures 1-5,6A, and 7-12 show the time-dependent cell index for a number of cell
lines prior to and after addition of dibenzyl trisulfide at various concentrations. As shown in the
Figures, dibenzyl trisulfide exhibited inhibitory effect on the proliferation of a number of cancer
cell lines. The susceptibility to dibenzyl trisulfide differs among the cancer cell types. For some
cancer cell types, a low dosage of dibenzyl trisulfide is sufficient to significantly inhibit cancer
cell proliferation, whilst for other cancer cell types, a higher dosage is needed to achieve similar
inhibition degree.
[0151] In one example, Figures IB and 1C show the time-dependent cell index for H460
(non-small cell lung cancer cell line) cells prior to and after addition of colcemid and paclitaxel
at various concentrations. As shown in Figures IB and 1C, colcemid and paclitaxel exhibited
inhibitory ability against the proliferation of A431 cells at concentrations studied. Furthermore,
these figures indicate that after compound addition (colcemid or paclitaxel), the cell indices for
H460 cells first decreased with time and then increased, showing that H460 cells had complex

kinetic responses to either colcemid and paclitaxel. It is noteworthy that cell index curves
shown in Figure 1A for H460 cells under the influence of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS) at
concentration of 25 uM and above are somewhat similar to the curves in Figures IB and 1C, i.e.,
after addition of DBTS (25 uM and above), the cell indices for H460 cells also first decreased
with time and then increased.
[0152] In another example, Figure 6B shows the time-dependent cell index for A431
(epidermoid cancer cell line) cells prior to and after addition of 5-flourouracil at various
concentrations. As shown in Figure 6B, 5-flourouracil exhibited inhibitory ability against the
proliferation of A431 cells at concentrations of 12.5 uM and above. The time dependent cell
index curves in Figure 6B are significantly different from those in Figure 6A.
[0153] In another example, Figure 13 shows the cell index data of HepaG-2 cell lines under
the influence of dibenzyl trisulfide. As shown in Figure 13, dibenzyl trisulfide did not
demonstrate anti-proliferation ability on HepaG-2 cells.
In vivo Screening for Anticancer Activity
[0154] To evaluate the in vivo anticancer efficacy of the test compounds including DBTS
and ACEA100108 (a derivative of DBTS, see Table 33), various mouse models were used,
including the mouse sarcoma S180 model, the mouse Lewis lung cancer model, P3 88
lymphocytic leukemia model, and three human tumor xenograft models in immunodeficient
nude mice: Bcap-37 human breast cancer, HCT-8 human colon cancer, aol2/17 human ovarian
cancer. Details of the in vivo anticancer efficacy of the test compounds are provided below.
Assessment of Acute Toxicity of DBTS and Compound ACEA100108
[0155] To evaluate the in vivo acute, intravenous toxicity of DBTS and ACEA100108
(a derivative of DBTS, see Table 33), the experiments were performed in non-tumor bearing,
normal Kunming mice by monitoring the acute response of mice to a single dose of DBTS or
ACEA100108 via intravenous injection (i.v.). The number of death for the treated mice was
monitored and recorded. LD50 values for these compounds were calculated. Details of the study
are provided below.
[0156] The following examples are offered to illustrate but not to limit the invention.

EXAMPLE 1
Anticancer Activity of DBTS Against Mouse Sarcoma SI80 and
Mouse Lewis Lung Cancer
[0157] To evaluate the in vivo anticancer efficacy of the test compounds, two mouse
transplanted tumor models were used for the in vivo evaluation: the mouse sarcoma S180 model
and the mouse Lewis lung cancer model. Experimental mice were maintained in the
Pharmacology Lab of Shanghai Pharmaceutical Industry Institute. The mouse source and
specifications are as follows. The mice were C57BL/6 and Kunming strains, provided by
Academic Sinica, Experimental Animal Center, and certification number: Academic Sinica
Experimental Animal Certificate, No. 5. The mouse weight is between 18-20 g. Both male and
female mice were used. However, for each experiment, animals of same sex were used. The
number of animals tested were as follows: 30 mice for the test compound group, including 10
for the high dose group, 10 for the middle dose group and 10 for the low dose group; 10 mice
were for the positive compound group; 20 mice for the negative control group, including 10
mice for the Normal Saline group and 10 mice for the solvent only group. The high, middle and
low doses of DBTS are, 50,25 and 12.5 mg/kg/d, respectively.
[0158] Test controls. For the negative control, two groups were set up: the solvent only
control group and normal saline control group. In the solvent only control group, each mouse
was administered intravenously with the solvent only having the same volume and same
concentration (10% for the sarcoma SI80 model and 5% for the Lewis lung cancer model) as
those used for high dose DBTS test, once a day, and for 7 or 10 consecutive days. In the normal
saline group, each mouse was administered with 0.5ml of normal saline, once per day and for 7
or 10 consecutive days. For the positive control group, the anticancer compound,
cyclophosphamide (CTX) was administered intraperitoneally at 30 mg/kg, once per day and for
7 or 10 consecutive days.
[0159] Preparation and Administration of Test Compounds. Test compound solutions for
evaluating anti-tumor efficiency cancer models were prepared as follows. In the mouse sarcoma
S180 mouse model, 200 mg of DBTS was dissolved in 10 mL of castor oil (in polyoxyethlated
version) first, and then mixed with 90 mL of normal saline. The final DBTS concentration in the
solution is 0.2%, and the final solvent concentration is 10%. Each mouse was administered
intravenously with the compound solution of 0.5 mL (high dose), 0.3 mL (middle dose) and 0.15
mL (low dose), respectively.

[0160] In the mouse Lewis lung cancer model, 200 mg of DBTS was dissolved in 5 mL
castor oil (in polyoxyethlated version). Each time before use, this solution was diluted with
normal saline to achieve final DBTS concentration of 0.2% (high dose), 0.1% (middle dose) and
0.05% (low dose) respectively. In this case, each mouse (about 20 g in weight) was
administered intravenously with 0.5 mL of the compound solution of a given compound
concentration. The intravenous injection speed was about 0.5 mL / 0.5 min.
[0161] The dosages and administration of test compounds are within the knowledge of those
commonly skilled in pharmacology. For example, the test compounds may be administered by
intravenous injection with a test compound solution twice per day and for 7 consecutive days.
Alternatively, the test compounds may be administered by intravenous injection with a test
compound solution once per day and for 10 consecutive days.
[0162] Preparation of Tumor Cells for Transplantation and Determination of Compound
Efficacy. To prepare the tumor cells, the fast grown tumors were first removed from the
transplanted tumor mice (the sarcoma SI80 model or the Lewis lung cancer model), the tumor
tissues were dissected, and the tumor cell suspensions were prepared from the dissected tissues
at the concentration of 2-4 x 107 tumor cells/ml. 0.2 mL of the tumor cell suspension (between 4
and 8 million tumor cells) was then transplanted back into an experimental mouse by
subcutaneous injection. Twenty four hours after the transplantation, mice were administered
intravenously with a given dose of DBTS, with normal saline, or solvent only which served as
the negative control, or with 50 mg/kg CTX intraperitoneally which served as the positive
control. Two weeks after the transplantation, mice were sacrificed and the transplanted tumors
were removed from the experimental mice. Each removed solid tumor was weighted, and the
tumor inhibition rate in the DBTS-treated groups and in the CTX-treated group was calculated
according to the formula:
Tumor inhibition rate % = (average weight of tumor in the negative control group —
average weight of tumor in the compound treated group)/average weight of tumor in the
negative control group X 100 (2)
[0163] For the mouse sarcoma S180 model, the S180 cells were subcutaneously transplanted
at approximately 5 million cells per mouse. After 24 hours of the transplantation, each mouse in
the test group was administered intravenously with dibenzyl trisulfide at 50,25, or 12.5 mg/kg
respectively per day and for 7 or 10 consecutive days. For the positive control group, each
mouse was administered with cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, CTX) at 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally
per day and for 7 consecutive days. For the negative control group, each mouse was

administered intravenously either with normal saline, or with the solvent for dihenzyl trisulfide
at the same concentration as that in the test group per day and for consecutive 7 days. For each
group, 10 mice were used.
[0164] For the mouse Lewis lung cancer model, the Lewis lung cancer cells were
subcutaneously transplanted at approximately 5 million cells per mouse. After 24 hours of the
transplantation, each mouse in the test group was administered intravenously with dibenzyl
trisulfide at 50,25, or 12.5 mg/kg per day and for 10 consecutive days. For the positive control
group, each mouse was administered with CTX at 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally per day and for 10
consecutive days. For the negative control group, each mouse was administered intravenously
either with normal saline, or with the solvent for dibenzyl trisulfide at the same concentration as
that in the test group per day and for consecutive 10 days. For each group, 10 mice were used.
[0165] Results, hi the mouse sarcoma SI80 model, DBTS showed an average tumor
inhibition rate of 63.30%, 54.68% and 48.69% for the 50,25 and 12.5 mg/kg dosage groups
respectively (relative to the normal saline control). The detailed results are shown in Table 9 and
Figure 14, describing an in vivo efficacy study of 0.2 % DBTS in the mouse sarcoma SI80
model. In Figure 14, the seven rows (1-7, respectively) represent results from the following
administered compounds (iv x 7qd): 1) negative control; 2) normal saline; 3) DBTS (25 ml/kg);
4) DBTS (15 ml/kg); 5) DBTS (7.5 ml/kg); 6) solvent control (15 ml/kg) and 7) positive control
CTX (30 mg/kg).
[0166] It was observed that right after the intravenous injection of DBTS, mice exhibited
transient abnormal reactions including jumping, fast breathing, and lying down followed by
reduced activities. Such reactions typically lasted 10-15 minutes. The same abnormal reactions
were also seen in the mice intravenously injected with only solvent. Therefore, the injection
speed and the high concentration of the solvent other than DBTS may result in the transient
abnormal reactions in the mice.
[0167] In the Lewis lung cancer model, DBTS showed an average tumor inhibition rate of
67.05%, 51.34% and 45.21% for the 50, 25 and 12.5 mg/kg dosage groups respectively (relative
to the normal saline control). The detailed results are summarized in Table 10 and Figure 15,
describing an efficacy study of 0.2 % DBTS on mouse Lewis lung cancer. In Figure 15, the
seven rows (1-7, respectively) represent results from the following administered compounds: 1)
negative control; 2) normal saline; 3) DBTS (25 ml/kg); 4) DBTS (15 ml/kg); 5) DBTS (7.5
ml/kg); 6) solvent control (15 ml/kg) and 7) positive control CTX (30 mg/kg).. DBTS and the
solvent control were administered iv x 10 qd; the positive control was administered ip x 7qd. In

contrast to the mice used for the mouse sarcoma S180 experiment, the mice intravenously
injected with either DBTS or solvent in this experiment showed much minor transient abnormal
reactions.
[0168] By using the solvent only as the negative control, the average in vivo tumor inhibition
rates of DTBS for the SI80 sarcoma are 50.25%, 38.58% and 30.46% in 50, 25 and 12.5 mg/kg
dosage groups respectively, as shown in Table 11. For the Lewis lung cancer model, the
average in vivo tumor inhibition rates of DBTS are 62.28%, 44.30% and 37.38% in the 50,25
and 12.5 mg/kg dosage groups respectively, as shown in Table 12.
[0169] The results generated from two mouse transplanted tumor models demonstrate the
specific inhibition of transplanted tumor growth in the mice administered intravenously with
DBTS. When intravenously administered with a high dose of DBTS (50 mg/kg/d, and for 7 or
10 consecutive days), a tumor inhibition rate of 65% was achieved in either mouse transplanted
tumor model, by using the normal saline as the negative control. The solvent used to prepare
DBTS solution showed a weak inhibitory effect on the tumor growth in the mouse transplanted
tumor models, and may also cause transient abnormal reactions in mice after intravenous
injection.





EXAMPLE 2
Anticancer Activity of DBTS on Mouse Lewis Lung Cancer
[0170] This study evaluates the in vivo anticancer efficacy of dibenzyl trisulfide (DBTS) in
the mouse Lewis lung cancer model as in Example 1. The experimental mice were maintained
in the Pharmacology Lab of Shanghai Pharmaceutical Industry Institute. The mice for
experiments were C57BL/6 strain, provided by Academic Sinica, Experimental Animal Center,
certification number: SCXK (Shanghai) 2003-0003. The mouse weight was between 18 and 20
g. Only female mice were used. The numbers of animals tested were as follows: 10 for each
dose group, 10 for positive control group and 20 for negative control group (10 for physiological
control group and 10 for solvent-control group).
[0171] Test control. For the negative control, two groups were set up: the solvent only
control group and normal saline control group. In the solvent only control group, each mouse
was administered intravenously with the solvent only having the same volume and same
concentration (5% solvent in normal saline) as those used in a high dose DBTS test, once a day,
for 7-10 consecutive days. In the normal saline group, each mouse was administered with
0.5 ml of normal saline, once a day, for 10 consecutive days. For positive control group, an
anticancer compound, cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, CTX, for intraperitoneal use) was
administered inrraperitoneally at 30 mg/kg, once a day for 7 consecutive days. In addition, as a

reference group, an anticancer compound, Taxol, was administered intravenously at 15, 10 and
7.5 mg/kg, once a day for 5 consecutive days.
[0172] Preparation and Administration of Test Compounds. 400 mg of DBTS was dissolved
in 10 mL of castor oil (solvent) to have a DBTS concentration 40 mg/ml in the solvent. Each
time before use, this solution was diluted in normal saline to achieve desired DBTS
concentrations. Normal saline was added to dilute DBTS solution to desired concentrations of
0.2% (high dose), 0.1% (middle dose) and 0.05% (low dose) respectively. Each mouse was
administered intravenously with the compound solution of 0.5 mL at a controlled injection speed
of 0.5 ml/0.5 min. 24 hrs after the tumor transplantation, intravenous injections of compound
solutions into carrier mice were performed once a day, for consecutive 7 or 10 days.
[0173] Preparation of Tumor cells for Transplantation and Determination of Compound
Efficacy. To prepare the tumor cells, the fast growing tumors were first removed from the
transplanted tumor mice, the tumor tissues were dissected and tumor cell suspensions were
prepared in normal saline to have a concentration of 2-4 x 10' cells/ml. 0.2 ml of cell
suspension was subcutaneously injected into the axillary region of each mouse. Twenty four
hours after the transplantation, mice were administered with a given doses of DBTS, with
normal saline, or solvent only which serves as the negative control, or with 30 mg/kg CTX
intraperitoneally which served as the positive control. About two weeks after transplantation,
mice were sacrificed and the transplanted tumors were removed from experimental mice. Each
removed solid tumor was weighed; the tumor inhibition rate in each dosage group was
calculated according to equation (2) in Example 1 (Anticancer Activity of DBTS Against Mouse
Sarcoma SI80 and Mouse Lewis Lung Cancer).
[0174] For the mouse Lewis lung cancer model, the Lewis lung cancer cells were
subcutaneously transplanted at approximately 6 million cells per mouse. After 24 hours of the
transplantation, each mouse in the test group was administered intravenously with dibenzyl
trisulfide at 50,25, or 12.5 mg/kg per day and for 10 consecutive days. For the positive control
group, each mouse was administered with CTX at 30 mg/kg intraperitoneally per day and for 7
consecutive days. For the negative control group, each mouse was administered intravenously
either with normal saline, or with the solvent for dibenzyl trisulfide at the same concentration as
that in the test group per day and for consecutive 10 or 7 days. For each group, 10 mice were
used. For Taxol reference group, each mouse in the test group was administered intravenously
with Taxol at 15,10 or 7.5 mg/kg per day and for 5 consecutive days.

[0175] Results. In the Lewis lung cancer model, DBTS showed an average tumor inhibition
rate of 65.77%, 51.61% and 43.10% for the 50, 25 and 12.5 mg/kg dosage groups respectively
(relative to the normal saline control). The detailed results are shown in Table 13. By using the
solvent only as the negative control, the corresponding tumor inhibition rates are 61.02%,
46.94% and 35.10%, respectively (Table 14). It was observed that right after the intravenous
injection of DBTS, mice exhibited transient abnormal reactions including jumping, fast
breathing, and lying down followed by reduced activities. Such reactions typically lasted 10-15
minutes. The same abnormal reactions were also seen in the mice intravenously injected with
only solvent.
[0176J In the reference test, Taxol showed an average tumor inhibition rate of 48.94%, 36.97
and 30.28% for the 15, 10 and 7.5 mg/kg dosage groups respectively (relative to the normal
saline control). The detailed results are shown in Table 15.
[0177] The result generated in the mouse Lewis lung cancer model demonstrates the specific
inhibition of transplanted tumor growth in the mice administered intravenously with DBTS.
When intravenously administered with a high dose of DBTS (50 mg/kg/d, and for 10
consecutive days), a tumor inhibition rate of 65% was achieved in the mouse transplanted tumor
model, by using the normal saline as the negative control. Such data have been shown to be
reproducible. The solvent used to prepare DBTS solution showed a weak inhibitory effect on
the tumor growth in the mouse transplanted tumor models, and may also cause transient
abnormal reactions in mice after intravenous injection.



EXAMPLE 3
In vivo Anticancer Activity of ACEA100108 on Lewis Lung Cancer and P388
Lymphocytic Leukemia in Mice, and on Bcap-37 Human Breast Cancer and HCT-8
Human Colon Cancer in Nude Mice
[0178] To evaluate the in vivo anticancer efficacy of compound ACEA100108 (a DBTS
derivative, see Table 33), mouse models with transplanted cancer were used, including Lewis
lung cancer model and P388 lymphocytic leukemia model, and two human tumor xenograft
models in immunodeficient nude mice: Bcap-37 human breast cancer and HCT-8 human colon
cancer. All the mouse models are maintained in the Pharmacology Lab of Shanghai

Pharmaceutical Industry Institute. For human tumor xenograft models, cancer cells were passed
twice in vivo before being transplanted into the nude mice for the study. Cultured human cancer
cells in flask were first xenograft-transplanted in immunodeficient nude mice. After the cancer
cells grew to a tumor of certain sizes in the nude mice, the tumor was removed form the nude
mice and tumor tissues were dissected. The cell suspensions were prepared from the dissected
tumor tissue and transplanted back to immunodeficient nude mice again (i.e. the second passage
of cancer cells in human cancer xenograft-transplanted model). After the cancer cells grew to
certain size, the tumor was removed from nude mice and the tumor tissues were dissected. The
cell suspensions were prepared from dissected tissues and were used for the study of human
cancer xenograft models described here.
[0179] The mice for experiments were C57BL/6, DBF1 and BALB/c nude mice strains,
provided by Academic Sinica, Experimental Animal Center, certification number: SCXK
(Shanghai) 2003-0003. The mouse weight was between 18 and 22 g. Both male and female
mice were used. However, for each experiment, animals of same sex were used. For the mouse
transplanted tumor model, the numbers of animals tested were as follows: 10 for each dose
group, 10 for positive control group and 20 for negative control group. For human tumor
xenograft model, the numbers of animals tested were as follows: 6 for each dose group, 6 for
positive control group and 12 for negative control group.
[0180] Test control. For negative control, each mouse was administered intravenously with
the solvent only having the same volume and same concentration as those used in high dose
ACEA100108 test, once a day, for 7 consecutive days. For positive control group, an anticancer
compound, Taxol was adniinistered intravenously at 10 mg/kg, once a day for 7 consecutive
days. In a reference group, DBTS was administered intravenously at 50 mg/kg, once a day for 7
consecutive days.
[0181] Preparation and Administration of Test Compounds. Compound ACEA100108 was
dissolved in hydrogenated castor oil (solvent) to have a compound ACEA100108 concentration
of 20 mg/ml in the solvent. Each time before use, this solution was diluted in normal saline to
achieve desired ACEA100108 concentrations. Each mouse (about 20 g in weight) was,
administered intravenously with the compound solution of 0.5 mL at a controlled injection speed
of 0.5 ml/0.5 min. 24 hrs after the tumor transplantation, intravenous injections of compound
solutions into carrier mice were performed once a day, for consecutive 7 or 10 days. Different
dosages of compound ACEA100108 between 100 and 6.25 mg/kg were used in the study.

[0182] Preparation of Tumor cells for Transplantation and Determination of Compound
Efficacy. To prepare the cancer cells for mouse Lewis lung cancer model, human breast cancer
xenograft model and human colon cancer xenograft model, the fast growing tumors were first
removed from the transplanted tumor mice. The tumor tissues were dissected and tumor cell
suspensions were prepared in normal saline to have a concentration of 2-4 x 10 cells/ml.
0.2 ml of cell suspension was subcutaneously injected into the axillary region (right-side) of
each mouse. Twenty four hours after the transplantation, mice were administered with a given
dose of ACEA100108, or with solvent only which serves as the negative control, or with 10
mg/kg Taxol which served as positive control, or with 50 mg/kg DBTS which served as a
reference test. Between two and four weeks after transplantation, mice were sacrificed and the
transplanted tumors were removed from experimental mice. Each removed solid tumor was
weighed; the tumor inhibition rate in each dosage group was calculated according to equation (2)
in Example 1.
[0183] For human tumor xenograft model, all used materials, including animal food, animal
cage, supporting materials and apparatus contacted by animals, were high-pressure sterilized.
Nude mice were maintained in laminar flow shelves under SPF condition. After tumor
transplantation, mouse weight and tumor size in each compound dosage group were dynamically
monitored and plotted. The tumor size was determined by measuring the major axis (a) and
minor axis (b) of the tumor, and tumor volume was calculated according to the formula
Tumor volume - a X b2 /2 (3)
[0184] To prepare cancer cells for the P388 murine lymphocytic leukemia model, ascites of
a P388 leukemia-bearing mouse were removed under sterile condition. The ascites were diluted
in normal saline (1:6 for ascites to normal saline) to prepare cell suspension. 0.2 mL of the cell
suspension was then injected intraperitoneally. Twenty four hours after transplanting the cancer
cells into mice, mice were administered with given doses of a given dose of ACEA100108, or
with solvent only which serves as the negative control, or with 10 mg/kg Taxol and with 2
mg/kg MMC (mitomycin C) which served as positive controls, or with 50 mg/kg DBTS which
served as a reference test. The life span of carrier mice was determined within 30 days. The life
span ratio comparing to the negative control group of the carrier mice in each compound
treatment group was calculated according to the formula:
Life span ratio % = average life span for the compound treatment group / average life
span for the negative control group X 100% (4)

[0185] Results. In the Lewis lung cancer model, ACEA100108 showed the average of in
vivo tumor inhibition rates of 60.15%, 55.35% and 34.32%, respectively, in 100 (administered
only 5 times because of toxicity), 25 and 6.25 mg/kg dosage groups (relative to the solvent-only
control). In the same experiment, DBTS showed the average in vivo tumor inhibition rates of
63.10% and 57.93%, respectively, in 100 (administered only 5 times because of toxicity) and 25
mg/kg dosage groups, and Taxol showed an in vivo tumor inhibition rate of 43.91% for the
routine administration dosage of 10 mg/kg. The results are summarized in Table 16.
[0186] In murine lymphocytic leukemia model, the average increase in life span of mice
treated with compound ACEA100108 were 106.18%, 107.22% and 109.28%, respectively, in
50,25 and 12.5 mg/kg dosage groups. In the same experiment, the average increase in life span
of mice was 109.28% for the mice being treated with DBTS compound at a dosage of 50 mg/kg,
and the average increase in life span of mice treated with 10 mg/kg Taxol compound was
109.28%. The details are provided in Table 17.
[0187] In Bcap-37 human breast cancer xenograft model in nude mice, ACEA100108
showed the average in vivo tumor inhibition rates of 64.13%, 56.10% and 31.40%, respectively,
in 50, 25 and 8 mg/kg dosage groups. In the same experiment, DBTS showed the average in
vivo tumor inhibition rate of 66.98% for a 50 mg/kg dosage and Taxol showed an average in
vivo tumor inhibition rate of 48.84% for the routine administration dosage of 10 mg/kg. The
details are provided in Table 18 and Figure 16, describing an efficacy study of DBTS and ACEA
100108 on Bcap-37 human breast cancer xenograft-transplanted in nude mice. In Figure 16, the
seven rows (1-7, respectively) represent results from the following administered compounds: 1)
negative control; 2) solvent; 3) ACEA 100108 (50 mg/kg); 4) ACEA 100108 (20 mg/kg); 5)
ACEA 100108 (8 mg/kg); 6) DBTS (50 mg/kg); and 7) positive control (taxol, 10 mg/kg). The
test compounds and controls were administered iv x 7qd. The dynamic changes of tumor size
are summarized in Table 19 and Figure 17. The dynamic change of body weight of carrier mice
results are summarized in Table 20 and Figure 18.
[0188] In HCT-8 human lung cancer xenograft model in nude mice, ACEA100108 showed
the average in vivo tumor inhibition rates of 45.62%, 28.10% and 15.03%, respectively, in 50, 25
and 8 mg/kg dosage groups. In the same experiment, DBTS showed the average in vivo tumor
inhibition rate of 46.08% for a 50 mg/kg dosage and Taxol showed an average in vivo tumor
inhibition rate of 33.33% for the routine administration dosage of 10 mg/kg. The details are
provided in Table 21 and Figure 19, describing an efficacy study of DBTS and ACEA 100108
on HCT-8 human colon cancer xenograft transplanted in nude mice. In Figure 19, the seven

rows (1-7, respectively) represent results from the following administered compounds: 1)
negative control; 2) solvent; 3) ACEA 100108 (50 mg/kg); 4) ACEA 100108 (20 mg/kg); 5)
ACEA 100108 (8 mg/kg); 6) DBTS (50 mg/kg); and 7) positive control (taxol, 10 mg/kg). The
test compounds and controls were administered iv x 7qd. The dynamic changes of tumor size
are summarized in Table 22 and Figure 20. The dynamic change of body weight of carrier mice
results are summarized in Table 23 and Figure 21.
[0189] Based on the results from the in vivo evaluation of two mouse tumor models and two
humor tumor xenograft models, ACEA100108 may be effectively administered at 50 mg/kg and
iv X 7qd. In addition, the anticancer effect of ACEA 100108 on mouse Lewis lung cancer model
and Bcap-37 human breast cancer model is stronger than its effect on HCT-8 human colon
cancer model. However, ACEA 100108 did not exhibit anticancer effect on P388 mouse
leukemia model. Furthermore, for the same dosage and same drug-administration procedure, the
anticancer effect for above models of compound ACEA100108 is comparable with that of
DBTS, and is better than that of Taxol under routine treatment dosage conditions.









EXAMPLE4
In vivo Anticancer Activity of ACEA100108 on aolO/17 Human Ovarian Cancer in
Nude Mice
[0190] To evaluate the in vivo anticancer efficacy of compound ACEA100108, an aol0/17
human ovarian cancer xenograft model in immunodeficient nude mice was used. The cell line
and mice were maintained in the Pharmacology Lab of Shanghai Pharmaceutical Industry
B
Institute. For the aolO/17 human ovarian cancer xenograft models, cancer cells were passed
twice in vivo before being transplanted into the nude mice for the study. In another word,
cultured human ovarian cancer aolO/17 cells in flask were first xenograft-transplanted in
immunodeficient nude mice. After the cancer cells grew to a tumor of certain sizes in the nude
mice, the tumor was removed form the nude mice and tumor tissues were dissected. The cell
suspensions were prepared from the dissected tumor tissue and transplanted back to
immunodeficient nude mice again (i.e. the second passage of cancer cells in human cancer
xenograft-transplanted model). After the cancer cells grew to certain size, the tumor was
removed from nude mice and the tumor tissues were dissected. The cell suspensions were
prepared from dissected tissues and were used for the study of human cancer xenograft models
described here.
[0191] The mice for experiments were C57BL/6, DBF1 and BALB/c (nude mice) strains,
provided by Academic Sinica, Experimental Animal Center, certification number SCXK
(Shanghai) 2003-0003. The mouse weight was between 18 and 22 g. Only female mice were
used in this study. For human tumor xenograft model, the numbers of animals tested were as
follows: 6 for each dose group, 6 for positive control group and 12 for negative control (solvent
only) group. The high, middle and low doses of ACEA100108 were 50,25 and 8 mg/kg/d,
respectively.
[0192] Test control. For negative control, each mouse was administered intravenously with
the solvent only having the same volume and same concentration as those used in high dose
ACEA100108 test, once a day, for 7 consecutive days. For positive control group, an anticancer
compound, Taxol was administered intravenously at 10 mg/kg, once a day for 7 consecutive

days. In a reference group, DBTS was administered intravenously at 50 mg/kg, once a day for 7
consecutive days.
[0193] Preparation and Administration of Test Compounds. Compound ACEA100108 was
dissolved in hydrogenated castor oil (solvent) to have a compound ACEA100108 concentration
of 20 mg/ml in the solvent. Each time before use, this solution was diluted in normal saline to
achieve desired ACEA100108 concentrations. Each mouse (about 20 g in weight) was
administered intravenously with the compound solution of 0.5 mL at a controlled injection speed
of 0.5 ml/0.5 min. 24 hrs after the tumor transplantation, intravenous injections of compound
solutions into carrier mice were performed once a day, for consecutive 7 days. The high, middle
and low dose of compound ACEA100108 was 50, 20 and 8 mg/kg, respectively.
[0194] Preparation of Tumor Cells for Transplantation and Determination of Compound
Efficacy. To prepare the cancer cells for human ovarian cancer xenograft model, the fast
growing tumors were first removed from the transplanted tumor mice. The tumor tissues were
grounded in normal saline (1:6 for tumor volume to saline volume) and tumor cell suspensions
were prepared in the normal saline. 0.2 ml of cell suspension was subcutaneously injected into
the axillary region (right-side) of each mouse. Twenty four hours after the transplantation, mice
were administered with a given dose of ACEA100108, or with solvent only which serves as the
negative control, or with 10 mg/kg Taxol which served as positive control, or with 50 mg/kg
DBTS which served as a reference test. Between two and four weeks after transplantation, mice
were sacrificed and the transplanted tumors were removed from experimental mice. Each
removed solid tumor was weighed; the tumor inhibition rate in each dosage group was
calculated according to equation (2) in Example 1.
[0195] For the human ovarian cancer xenograft model, all used materials, including animal
food, animal cage, supporting materials and apparatus contacted by animals, were high-pressure
sterilized. Nude mice were maintained in laminar flow shelves under SPF condition. After
tumor transplantation, mouse weight and tumor size in each compound dosage group were
dynamically monitored and plotted. The tumor size was determined by measuring the major
axis (a) and minor axis (b) of the tumor, and tumor volume was calculated according to the
equation (3) in Example 3.
[0196] Results. In aol 0/17 human ovarian cancer xenograft model in nude mice,
ACEA100108 showed the average in vivo tumor inhibition rates of 53.40%, 46.67% and
33.19%, respectively, in 50,25 and 8 mg/kg dosage groups. In the same experiment, DBTS
showed the average in vivo tumor inhibition rate of 57.30% for a 50 mg/kg dosage and Taxol

showed an average in vivo tumor inhibition rate of 45.39% for the routine administration dosage
of 10 mg/kg. The details are provided in Table 24 and Figures 22, describing an efficacy study
of DBTS and ACEA 100108 on aol0/17 human ovarian cancer xenograft-transplanted in nude
mide. In Figure 22, the seven rows (1-7, respectively) represent results from the following
administered compounds: 1) negative control; 2) solvent; 3) ACEA 100108 (50 mg/kg); 4)
ACEA 100108 (20 mg/kg); 5) ACEA 100108 (8 mg/kg); 6) DBTS (50 mg/kg); and 7) positive
control (taxol, 10 mg/kg). The test compounds and controls were administered iv at 7qd.
[0197] The dynamic changes of tumor size are summarized in Table 25 and Figure 23. The
dynamic change of body weight of carrier mice results are summarized in Table 26 and Figure
24. For the same dosage and same drug-administration procedure, the anticancer effect of
compound ACEA100108 in aolO/17 human ovarian cancer models is comparable with that of
compound ACEA100101, and is better than that of Taxol under regular treatment dosage
conditions.



EXAMPLES
In vivo Anticancer Activity of ACEA100108 on Bcap-37 Human Breast Cancer in
Nude Mice
[0198] To evaluate the in vivo anticancer efficacy of compound ACEA100108, Bcap-37
human breast cancer xenograft model in immunodeficient nude mice was used. The cell line
and mouse model are maintained in the Pharmacology Lab of Shanghai Pharmaceutical Industry
Institute. For the Bcap-37 human breast cancer xenograft models, cancer cells were passed
twice in vivo before being transplanted into the nude mice for the study. In another word,
cultured human breast cancer Bcap-37 cells in flask were first xenograft-transplanted in
immunodeficient nude mice. After the breast cancer cells grew to a rumor of certain sizes in the

nude mice, the tumor was removed form the nude mice and tumor tissues were dissected. The
cell suspensions were prepared from the dissected tumor tissue and transplanted back to
immunodeficient nude mice again (i.e. the second passage of cancer cells in human cancer
xenograft-transplanted model). After the cancer cells grew to certain size, the tumor was
removed from nude mice and the tumor tissues were dissected. The cell suspensions were
prepared from dissected tissues and were used for the study of human cancer xenograft models
described here.
[0199] The mice for experiments were BALB/c (nude mice) strains, provided by Academic
Sinica, Experimental Animal Center, certification number: SCXK (Shanghai) 2003-0003. The
mouse weight was between 18 and 22 g. Only female mice were used in this study. For human
tumor xenograft model, the numbers of animals tested were as follows: 6 for each dose group, 6
for positive control group and 12 for negative control (solvent only) group. The high, middle
and low doses of ACEA100108 were 50,25 and 8 mg/kg/d, respectively.
[0200] Test control. For negative control, each mouse was administered intravenously with
the solvent only having the same volume and same concentration as those used in high dose
ACEA100108 test, once a day, for 7 consecutive days. For positive control group, an anticancer
compound, Taxol was administered intravenously at 10 mg/kg, once a day for 7 consecutive
days.
[0201] Preparation and Administration of Test Compounds. Compound ACEA100108 was
dissolved in hydrogenated castor oil (solvent) to have a ACEA100108 concentration of 20
mg/ml in the solvent. Each time before use, this solution was diluted in normal saline to achieve
desired ACEA 100108 concentrations. Each mouse (about 20 g in weight) was administered
intravenously with the compound solution of 0.5 mL at a controlled injection speed of 0.5 ml/0.5
min. Seven days after the tumor transplantation, the transplanted tumors grew to size
sufficiently large that could be felt by hands when one touched the animal. From that time on,
intravenous injections of compound solutions into carrier mice were performed once a day, for
consecutive 7 or 10 days. The high, middle and low dose of ACEA100108 was 50,20 and 8
mg/kg, respectively.
[0202] Preparation of Tumor cells for Transplantation and Determination of Compound
Efficacy. To prepare the cancer cells for human breast cancer xenograft model, the fast growing
tumors were first removed from the transplanted tumor mice. The tumor tissues were grounded
in normal saline (1:6 for tumor volume to saline volume) and tumor cell suspensions were
prepared in the normal saline having cell concentration of 2-4 x 107 cells/ml. 0.2 ml of cell

suspension was subcutaneously injected into the axillary region (right-side) of each mouse.
About seven days after the transplantation, tumors in the mice grew sufficiently large so that
tumor could be felt by hands when one touched the animals. From that time on, mice were
administered with a given dose of ACEA100108, or with solvent only which serves as the
negative control, or with 10 mg/kg Taxol which served as positive control. Between three and
four weeks after transplantation, mice were sacrificed and the transplanted tumors were removed
from experimental mice. Each removed solid tumor was weighed; the tumor inhibition rate in
each dosage group was calculated according to equation (2) in Example 1. Based on the tumor
volume, another parameter, namely, tumor volume inhibition rate was also calculated, according
to
T/C (%) = average volume of tumor in the compound treated group / average weight of
tumor in the negative control group X 100% (5)
[0203] For the human breast cancer xenograft model, all used materials, including animal
food, animal cage, supporting materials and apparatus contacted by animals, were high-pressure
sterilized. Nude mice were maintained in laminar flow shelves under SPF condition. After
tumor transplantation, mouse weight and tumor size in each compound dosage group were
dynamically monitored and recorded. The tumors size was determined by measuring the major
axis (a) and minor axis (b) of the tumor, and tumor volume was calculated according to the
equation (3) in Example 3.
[0204] Results. In Bcap-37 human breast cancer xenograft model in nude mice,
ACEA100108 showed the average in vivo tumor inhibition rates of 52.24%, 47.31% and
28.21%, respectively, in 50,20 and 8 mg/kg dosage groups when the compound was
administered according to iv X 7qd procedure. Furthermore, it showed the average in vivo
tumor inhibition rates of 56.92% for 50 mg/kg dosage when the compound was administered
according to 10 x qd procedure. In the same experiment, Taxol showed an average in vivo
tumor inhibition rate of 44.33% for the routine administration dosage of 10 mg/kg. The details
are provided in Table 27 and Figure 25, describing an efficacy study of ACEA 100108 on Bcap-
37 human breat cancer xenograft-transplanted in nude mice. In Figure 25, the seven rows (1-7,
respectively) represent results from the following administered compounds: 1) negative control;
2) solvent; 3) ACEA 100108 (50 mg/kg); 4) ACEA 100108 (20 mg/kg); 5) ACEA 100108 (8
mg/kg); 6) ACEA 100108 (50 mg/kg); and 7) positive control (taxol, 10 mg/kg). The test
compounds and controls were administered iv at 7qd, except for ACEA 1001008 at 50 mg/kg,
which was administered iv x lOqd. The result of tumor volume inhibition rates are shown in

Table 28. The dynamic changes of tumor size are summarized in Table 26. The dynamic
change of body weight of carrier mice results are summarized in Table 27.
[0205] In the Bcap-3 7 human breast cancer xenograft model in nude mice, ACEA100108
showed a tumor inhibition rate above 50% for a compound administration procedure in which
compound was administered after the tumor grew to sufficient large so that the tumor could be
felt by hands. Furthermore, when dosing times of the compound in the nude mice increased,
there was no apparent increased toxic effect to mice, while there was increased tumor inhibition.
In addition, the middle dosage of ACEA 100108 administered here into nude mice showed a
better anticancer efficacy than that of the routine treatment dosage of Taxol.





EXAMPLE 6
Acute Toxicity Test of DBTS and Compound ACEA100108 :
Determination of the Intravenous Injection LDsn in Mice
[0206] The experiments to test DBTS and ACEA100108 acute toxicity were performed in
mice. The test mice were randomly divided into six groups (five dosing groups and one control
group). Each group contained 20 Kunming strain mice, and among them, 50% were male and
50% were female. After administration of a single dose of DBTS or ACEA100108 via
intravenous injection (i.v.), the acute response to DBTS or ACEA100108 compound, and the
death of the treated mice during the first two weeks were monitored and recorded. The LD50
value was calculated using the Bliss method. The mouse single i.v. dose LD50 value of DBTS
was 258.53 mg/kg (234.96 to 284.46 mg/kg), and the mouse single i.v. dose LD50 value of
ACEA100108 was 316 mg/kg (284.26-351.28 mg/kg).
[0207] Materials and Method. The test chemical compound were DBTS and ACEA100108,
which were dissolved into hydrogenated castor oil in the pre-warmed water bath and made as a
20 mg/ml solution. The solution was further diluted to desired experiment concentrations with
the normal saline. The administration volume was 0.5 ml i.v. per mouse and the injection speed
was 0.5ml/0.5 min.
[0208] The experimental mice were Kunming strain, provided by the Experimental Animal
Department, Shanghai Pharmaceutical Industry Institute. The certificate number of the facility
was Animal Facility Certification Number 107. The average weight of the mice was 18-20
gram. Each test group contained 20 Kunming strain mice, and among them, 10 mice were male
and 10 mice were female. Five experimental doses were used, which were 400 mg/kg, 320

mg/kg, 256 mg/kg, 204.8mg/kg and 163.8 mg/kg. The mice in the control group were only given
the same volume of the solvent, which were diluted hydrogenated castor oil. All the testing mice
were given a single intravenous injection of DBTS, ACEA100108, or the solvent that served as
the control at the injection speed of 0.5 ml/0.5 min. The acute response to DBTS, ACEA100108
or the solvent immediately after the administration, as well as weight change, and the death
within the first two weeks of the administration were monitored and recorded. The intravenous
injection LD50 values in mice were calculated using the Bliss method.
[0209] Result. Immediately after intravenous injection, mice showed behavioral
abnormalities, which included jumping, running, convulsion, and shortness of breath
(accelerated respiration). At high dose groups, some mice died of convulsive seizure within 3
min after the injection. The death occurred within one hour of the administration and the peak
was at the 12th hour of the administration. No pathological abnormality in the organs of the dead
mice was found by autopsy. The survival mice showed no severe toxic symptoms except early
reduced activities and loose hair, which were gradually recovered, and there was no delayed
toxic manifestations seen within the 14 day following up monitoring. Although survival mice
were healthy and behaved normal, the mice showed weight loss to some degree. Based
experimental data, the mouse single i.v. dose LD50 value of DBTS was 258.53 mg/kg (234.96 to
284.56 mg/kg), and the mouse single i.v. dose LD50 value of ACEA100108 was 316 mg/kg
(284.26-351.28 mg/kg). There was no significant difference in LD50 values between male mice
and female mice (p value > 0.05). The acute toxicity results for DBTS and ACEA100108 were
summarized in Tables 31 and 32. To evaluate the possible toxic effect of the solvent on the
mice, the mice in the control group were administered with the same volume of the solvent. The
mice given the solvent showed early abnormal manifestations and weight loss to a degree less
than the mice dosed with DBTS or ACEA100108. This suggests that the acute toxic effects seen
in the dosing mice are related to DBTS or ACEA100108.



EXAMPLE 7
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation by DBTS, Colcemid and Paclitaxel
[0210] H460 cells (human lung cancer cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 8000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 22 hrs. Dibenzyl
trisulfide (DBTS), colcemil and paclitaxel at different concentrations in DMSO were added into
wells following the incubation period. The cell status was monitored prior to and after the
compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell indexes of different wells were between 1.'
and 1.9 for DBTS and colcemid solutions just before the compound addition, and between 1.4
and 1.9 for paclitaxel. Figures 1A-C show the normalized cell index as a function of time prior
to and after the compound addition. The cell index was normalized against the cell index value:
at a time point just after compound addition (about 23 hrs after cell seeding).
EXAMPLES
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation by DBTS in MV522 Cells
[0211] MV522 cells (human lung cancer cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 10,000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 22 hrs. Dibenzyl
trisulfide solutions in DMSO were added into wells following the incubation period. The cell
status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell
indexes of different wells were between 1.0 and 1.6 just before the compound addition. Figure'.
shows the normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound addition.
The cell index was normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after compound
addition (about 23 hrs after cell seeding).
EXAMPLE 9
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation by Dibenzyl Trisulfide in MCF-7 Cells
[0212] MCF-7 cells (human breast cancer cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate)with an initial seeding density of 10,000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 44 hrs. Dibenzyl

trisulfide solution in DMSO was added into wells following the incubation period. The cell
status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell
indexes of different wells were between 1.2 and 1.5 just before the compound addition. Figure 3
shows the normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound addition.
The cell index was normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after compound
addition (about 44.5 hrs after cell seeding).
EXAMPLE 10
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation by Dibenzyl Trisulfide in A549 Cells
[0213] A549 cells (human lung cancer cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 8,000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 17 hrs. Dibenzyl
trisulfide solution in DMSO was added into wells following the incubation period. The cell
status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell
indexes of different wells were between 0.72 and 1.26 just before the compound addition.
Figure 4 shows the normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound
addition. The cell index was normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after
compound addition (about 18 hrs after cell seeding).
EXAMPLE 11
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation by Dibenzyl Trisulfide in PC3 Cells
[0214] PC3 cells (human prostate cancer cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 10,000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 22.5 hrs. Dibenzyl
trisulfide solution in DMSO was added into wells following the incubation period. The cell
status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell
indexes of different wells were between 0.34 and 0.54 just before the compound addition.
Figure 5 shows the normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound
addition. The cell index was normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after
compound addition (about 23.5 hrs after cell seeding).

EXAMPLE 12
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation by DBTS and 5-Fluorouracil in A431 Cells
[0215] A431 cells (human epidermoid cancer cells) were seeded into wells of microtiter
plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays in the
wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 10,000 cells per well and were pre-incubated
in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 22.3 hrs. Various concentrations of
DBTS and 5-fluorouracil solutions were added into wells following the incubation period. The
cell status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The
cell indexes of different wells of DBTS were between 0.6 and 1.2 for DBTS, and between 0.6
and 1.2 for 5-fluorouracil just before the compound addition. Figures 6A-B show the
normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound addition. The cell
index was normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after compound addition
(22.6 hrs after cell seeding).
EXAMPLE 13
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation by DBTS in HT1080 Cells
[0216] HT1080 cells (human fibrosarcoma cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 4,000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 18.6 hrs. Dibenzyl
bisulfide solution in DMSO was added into wells following the incubation period. The cell
status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell
indexes of different wells were between 0.72 and 1.45 just before the compound addition.
Figure 7 shows the normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound
addition. The cell index was normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after
compound addition (about 20 hrs after cell seeding).
EXAMPLE 14
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation by DBTS in MDA-231 Cells
[0217] MDA-231 cells (human breast cancer cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 5,000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 18.7 hrs. Dibenzyl

trisulfide solution in DMSO was added into wells following the incubation period. The cell
status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell
indexes of different wells were between 0.65 and 0.82 just before the compound addition.
Figure 8 shows the normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound
addition. The cell index was normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after
compound addition (about 19.6 hrs after cell seeding).
EXAMPLE 15
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation bv DBTS in HT-29 Cells
[0218] HT-29 cells (human colon cancer cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 10,000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 25 hrs. Dibenzyl
trisulfide solution in DMSO was added into wells following the incubation period. The cell
status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell
indexes of different wells were between 0.95 and 1.13 just before the compound addition.
Figure 9 shows the normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound
addition (about 26 hrs after cell seeding). The cell index was normalized against the cell index
values at a time point just prior to compound addition.
EXAMPLE 16
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation by DBTS in HC-2998 Cells
[0219] HC-2998 cells (human colon cancer cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 10,000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 24.7 hrs. Dibenzyl
trisulfide solution in DMSO was added into wells following the incubation period. The cell
status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell
indexes of different wells were between 0.33 and 0.68 just before the compound addition.
Figure 10 shows the normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound
addition. The cell index was normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after
compound addition (about 25.7 hrs after cell seeding).

EXAMPLE 17
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation bv DBTS in OVCAR4 Cells
[0220] OVCAR4 cells (human ovarian cancer cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microliter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise micro electrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 10,000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 27 hrs. Dibenzyl
trisulfide solution in DMSO was added into wells following the incubation period. The cell
status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell
indexes of different wells were between 1.4 and 1.7 just before the compound addition. Figure
11 shows the normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound
addition. The cell index was normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after
compound addition (about 28 hrs after cell seeding).
EXAMPLE 18
Inhibition of Cell Proliferation bv DBTS in A2780 Cells
[0221] A2780 cells (human colon cancer cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 20,000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 16.4 hrs. Dibenzyl
trisulfide solution in DMSO was added into wells following the incubation period. The cell
status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell
indexes of different wells were between 2.2 and 3.7 just before the compound addition. Figure
12 shows the normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound
addition. The cell index was normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after
compound addition (about 17.5 hrs after cell seeding).
EXAMPLE 19
Response of HepG2 Cells to DBTS
[0222] HepG2 cells (human hepatosarcoma cells) were seeded into wells of 16X or 96X
microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor arrays
in the wells of the plate) with an initial seeding density of 15,000 cells per well and were pre-
incubated in incubator under standard cell culture conditions for about 22 hrs. Dibenzyl
trisulfide solution in DMSO was added into wells following the incubation period. The cell

status was monitored prior to and after the compound addition using RT-CES system. The cell
index was between 0.7 and 0.97 just before the compound addition. Figure 13 shows the
normalized cell index as a function of time prior to and after the compound addition. The cell
index was normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after compound addition
(about 22.7 hrs after cell seeding). From the cell index data shown here, it appears that dibenzyl
trisulfide exhibits no inhibition effect on HepG2 cell proliferation and no cytotoxic effect on the
HepG2 cells within the exposing dose range.
EXAMPLE 20
Inhibition of Cancer Cell Proliferation by DBTS and Its Derivatives
[0223] The anticancer potency of DBTS and its derivatives were tested in 8 different types
of human cancer cell lines using the RT-CES system and MTT assay. The 8 cancer cell lines
were HT1080 (the human fibrosarcoma cell line), H460 (human non small cell lung cancer cell
line), OVCAR4 (the human ovarian cancer cell line), MCF7 (human breast cancer cell line)
MDA-MB231 (M231, the human breast cancer cell line) A2780 (the human colon cancer cell
line) Jurkat (the human T cell leukemia cell line). The test DBTS derivatives include
ACEA100107, ACEA100108, ACEA100109, ACEA100111, ACEA100115, ACEA100116,
ACEA100117, ACEA100118, ACEA100119, and ACEA100120. ACEA100129 was also tested
in HT1080, HELA and MCF7 cells, having an IC50 value of 0.82 uM, 0.42 uM and 2.3 uM,
respectively. The chemical structures of the derivatives are shown in Tables 33 and 34.
[0224] For the assay performed on the RT-CES system, the cells were seeded into the 16X
or 96X microtiter plate devices (electronic plates, i.e., the plates comprise microelectrode sensor
arrays in the wells of the plate) at the seeding density ranging from 5000 cells/well to 15,000
cells/well. The cells were incubated at 5% CO2 and 37 °C for overnight till the cell indices
reached the growth phase where the cell index was between 0.8 and 1.2. Serially diluted
compounds were then added to the cells followed by dynamic monitoring of the effect of the
compounds on the cell proliferation and cytotoxicity. The time-dependent IC50 values for each
derivative were calculated based the dose responses of cell index value at different time points
after compound treatment. The IC50 values shown in Table 35 corresponds to the time points at
which compound showed the maximum inhibition after the treatment.
[0225] For the MTT assay, the cells were seeded into the regular 96x well plates at the cell
seeding density ranging from 5000 cells/well to 15,000 cells/well. The cells were incubated at
5% CO2 and 37 °C for overnight. The derivatives were serially diluted and added to the cells.

The treatment was terminated after 48 hours of incubation by adding MTT staining reagent.
After 4 hours, the staining was stopped by the stop buffer and then the colorimetric measurement
was carried out on a microtiter plate reader at dual wave length, 650 nm and 550 ran. The IC50
values for tested derivatives were calculated using the colorimetric readouts and listed in Table
36.




EXAMPLE 21
Kinetic inhibition of cancer cell proliferation by ACEA100108
[0226] The anticancer potency of a DBTS derivative, ACEA100108 was tested in 7 cancer
cell lines on the RT-CEA system. The cell lines were HT1080, H460, OVCAR4, MCF7, MDA-
MB231, HepG2, and A2780. The cancer cells were seeded into 16X or 96X microtiter plate
devices (i.e. electronic plates) containing wells at cell seeding density ranging from 5000
cells/well to 15000 cells/well, and the seeded cells were then incubated at 37 °C, 5% C02. The
cancer cell growth was monitored in real time on the RT-CES system till the cells reached the
growth phase, which takes approximately 20 hours. Cells were then treated with ACEA100108
which were serially diluted at the concentrations ranging from 50 uM to 0.38 uM. The inhibition
of the cancer proliferation of ACEA100108 and cytotoxicity responses of various cell lines to
ACEA100108 were monitored on the RT-CES system in real time. The kinetic curves of the
cell-compound interaction was then recorded and shown in the Figure 26. The cell index curves
were normalized against the cell index values at a time point just after compound addition
(approximately 18-24 hrs after cell seeding).
EXAMPLE 22
Kinetic inhibition of cancer cell proliferation by the DBTS derivatives
[0227] The kinetic inhibition of proliferation of HT1080 cancer cells and cytotoxicity effects
of the DBTS derivatives on HT1080 cancer cells were measured on the RT-CES system. The
DBTS derivatives are ACEA100107, ACEA100109, ACEA100111, ACEA100114,
ACEA100115, ACEA100116, ACEA100117, ACEA100118, ACEA100119, and ACEA100120,
The HT1080 cells (human fibrosarcoma) were seeded into the wells of 16X or 96X microtiter
plate devices (electronic plates) at the seeding density of 5000 cells/well. After 20 hour
incubation at 5% CO2 and 37 °C till the cells reached the growth phase, the serially diluted
DBTS-derivatives at the concentration ranging from 50 uM to 0.38 uM were added to the cells,
and the cell response to the DBTS derivatives was monitored and recorded in real time for 48
hours on the RT-CES system. Figure 27 shows the kinetic curves of interactions between cells
and DBTS-derivatives at different concentrations. The cell index curves were normalized
against the cell index values at a time point just after compound addition (approximately 18-24
hrs after cell seeding).

EXAMPLE 23
Suppression of Microtubule Dynamics by DBTS and Its Derivative Compounds
ACEA100108 and ACEAlOOl 16 Overview.
[0228] Microtubules are important in numerous cellular processes, including mitosis when
the duplicated chromosomes are separated into two identical sets before cleavage of the cell into
two daughter cells. The key role of microtubules and their dynamics in mitosis and cell division
make microtubules an important target for anticancer drugs. In cells during interphase,
microtubules exchange their tubulin with soluble tubulin in the cytoplasmic pool with half times
of ~3 minutes to several hours. With the onset of mitosis, the interphase microtubule network
disassembles and is replaced by a population of highly dynamic microtubules which forms the
mitotic spindle and moves the chromosomes. Mitotic spindle microtubules are 20-50 times more
dynamic than microtubules in interphase cells, and some spindle microtubules exchange their
tubulin with tubulin in the soluble pool with half-times as rapid as 15 seconds.
[0229] The dynamics of mitotic spindle microtubules are exquisitely sensitive to modulation
by regulators and to disruption by microtubule-active drugs. Microtubule-targeted drugs can
alter microtubule polymerization and dynamics in a wide variety of ways. The mechanisms of
action of three ACEA compounds designated as DBTS, ACEA100108, and ACEAlOOl 16 with
respect to (1) the ability to influence the microtubule network in cultured cells, (2) the ability to
influence microtubule assembly in vitro and (3) the ability to influence microtubule dynamics in
vitro, are described below.
Methods
[0230] Cell Culture and hnmunocvtochemistrv. COS cells were grown in DMEM media
supplemented with non-essential amino acids, 10% FBS, antibiotic-antimycotic (Gibco BRL) at
37 °C and 5.5% CO2. For immunofluorescence microscopy, cells were plated on polylysine
coated coverslips and treated with various concentrations of the three ACEA compounds,
paclitaxel or vinblastine for either 4 or 24 hours (see individual figures for concentrations used
in any given experiment). Cells were then rinsed once with warm PBS, fixed with cold
methanol, rinsed again in PBS and blocked overnight at 4 °C in PBT (PBS, 1% BSA, 0.5%
Triton X-100). All subsequent stains and washes were done in PBT at room temperature unless
stated otherwise. Cells were stained with the anti-tubulin mouse antibody DM-1 at 1:1000 for 1
hour, washed four times for 15 minutes each and then treated with Cy-3 conjugated goat anti
mouse antibody at 1:100 for 1 hour in the dark. Next, samples were washed four times for 15

minutes each in PBT in the dark followed by a final 15 minute wash in PBS in the dark. Samples
were then viewed by laser scanning confocal microscopy.
[0231] Microtubule Assembly Assays. Microtubule seeds were synthesized by incubating
purified bovine brain tubulin with 1 mM GTP, 10% glycerol and 10% DMSO at 35 °C. for 30
minutes, followed by shearing by passing the assembled microtubules 6 times through a 27
gauge needle. Microtubule assembly was assayed by adding 27.5 ul of microtubule seeds to
spectrophotometer cuvettes (maintained at 35 °C.) containing 247.5 ul purified bovine brain
tubulin in a PEM-100 buffer (100 mM Pipes pH = 6.8,1 mM EDTA, 1 mM MgS04)
supplemented with 1 mM GTP (and drug where applicable) and monitoring the OD400 for 2
hours. Since the compounds are dissolved in DMSO and DMSO can have a significant effect on
microtubule assembly, DMSO was added to all cuvettes so as to equal the largest volume of
drug added to reactions. It should be noted that the initial velocity of the microtubule assembly
reactions is so fast that one can not always catch the initial rise on the light scattering profile
because it is occurring while samples are being prepared. However, all samples start at the same
optical density, since they are identical with the exception of the drug being introduced.
[0232] Tubulin Purification and Microtubule Dynamics Assays. Tubulin was purified, as
described in the literature ("Kinetic stabilization of microtubule dynamic instability in vitro by
vinblastine", Toso, R. J., Jordan, M. A., Farrell, K. W., Matsumoto, B. and Wilson, L.,
Biochemistry, 1993,32,1285-1293). Briefly, microtubule-associated protein-rich bovine brain
microtubule protein was prepared by three cycles of assembly and disassembly. Tubulin was
purified from other microtubule proteins by elution through a Whatman P-l 1 phosphocellulose
column equilibrated in PEM50 (50 mM Pipes, 1 mM MgS04,1 mM EGTA, 0.1 mM GTP).
Purified tubulin (>99% pure) was drop-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -70 °C. Purified
tubulin (15 uM tubulin dimer) was polymerized at the ends of sea urchin (Strong)docentrotus
purpuratus) axonemal seeds at 37 °C in the presence or absence of ACEA 01, 08 or 16 in
PMEM buffer (87 mM Pipes, 36 mM MES, 1.4 mM MgCl2,1 mM EDTA, pH 6.8) and 2 mM
GTP. The dynamics of individual microtubules were recorded at 37 °C using differential
interference contrast enhanced video microscopy. The ends were designated as plus or minus on
the basis of the growth rate, the number of microtubules that grew at opposite ends of the seeds,
and the relative lengths of the microtubules (Panda, D., Goode, B. L., Feinstein, S. C. and
Wilson, L., Kinetic stabilization of microtubule dynamics at steady state by tau and microtubule-
binding domains of tau, Biochemistry, 1995,3^, 111 17-11127; Walker, R. A., O'Brien, E. T.,
Pryer, N. K., Soboeiro, M. F., Voter, W. A., Erickson, H. P. and Salmon, E. D., Dynamic

instability of individual microtubules analyzed by video light microscopy: rate constants and
transition frequencies, J. Cell Biol. 1988,107,1437-1448). Plus ends were analyzed for 10
minutes per slide during the steady-state phase of polymerization (-45 min after initiation of
polymerization). Life histories of individual microtubules were collected as described by Panda
et al. 1995 (Panda, D., Goode, B. L., Feinstein, S. C. and Wilson, L., Kinetic stabilization of
microtubule dynamics at steady state by tau and microtubule-binding domains of tau,
Biochemistry, 1995, 34 11117-11127.) with modifications. Data points were collected at 1-3 s
intervals.
[0233] A microtubule was considered to be growing or shortening if it increased or
decreased in length at a rate >0.5 urn/min. microtubules exhibiting growth rates of over a period greater than 30 s were considered to be in an attenuated state. Average rates,
lengths and durations are the averages of independent events. The catastrophe frequency was
calculated by dividing the number of shortening events by the total time of growth and
attenuation tracked, and rescue frequency was calculated by dividing the number of rescue
events by the total time of shortening tracked. To control for experimental error, each condition
was filmed over multiple days using at least two distinct tubulin/GTP mixtures (2-3 slides each).
No gross variation in microtubule dynamics was observed between mixtures or slides of a given
condition. The concentration of drug used in dynamic instability assays was chosen by initially
observing microtubules stabilized with half the concentration used in microtubule assembly
assays. If most microtubules on a slide were stable, the concentration of drug would be reduced
until any given microtubule tracked would have at least two growth or shortening events in the
span of 10 minutes.
[0234J Figures 28-38 show the effect of DBTS and organosulfur compounds ACEA100108
and ACEA 100116 on microtubule network in cultured cells. Figure 28 shows images of
microtubules in control cells exposed to no drugs. The microtubule networks appear as
expected. Figure 29 shows images of microtubules in cells exposed to taxol for 4 hours.
Microtubules appear bundled in some locations; with increasing concentration, bundling appears
more extensive but the microtubules often appear shorter than in the control cells. Figure 30
shows images of microtubules in cells exposed to taxol for 24 hours. With increasing dosage,
microtubule abnormalities increase. As this figure shows, there is increased bundling and the
short microtubules persist. Additionally, major cellular abnormalities become apparent.
[0235] Figure 31 shows images of microtubules in cells exposed to vinblastine for 4 hours.
With increasing dosage, the microtubule network begins to fall apart and the microtubules

become much shorter. Figure 32 shows images of microtubules in cells exposed to vinblastine
for 24 hours. As this figure shows, major cell abnormalities are widespread in the microtubulue
network.
[0236] Figure 33 shows images of microtubules in cells exposed to DBTS for 4 hours. The
microtubule network is completely disrupted; only very short microtubules exist and the overall
level of tubulin in microtubules appears to be significantly reduced. This effect could be
quantitated biochemically by non-ionic detergent extraction and immunoblotting. Figure 34
shows images of microtubules in cells exposed to DBTS for 24 hours. At the lowest dosage,
there are some microtubules present and the cells appear to have partially recovered when
compared to cells exposed to the drug for only 4 hours; no cells are viable after treatment for 24
hours with either 6 uM or 18 uM of DBTS.
[0237] Figure 35 shows images of microtubules in cells exposed to ACEA100108 for 4
hours. Similar to DBTS, the microtubule network is markedly altered at all concentrations
tested. Microtubules are very short and the overall level of microtubule content appears to be
reduced. At the highest concentration, cells often round up. Figure 36 shows images of
microtubules in cells exposed to ACEA100108 for 24 hours. At both 1 uM and 3 uM, the cells
seem to have made somewhat of a recovery between 4 and 24 hours. The microtubule networks
in both cases appear relatively normal. However, at 9 uM, the microtubules appear short and the
network is abnormal.
[0238] Figure 37 shows images of microtubules in cells exposed to ACEA100116 for 4
hours. Remnants of the microtubule network remain at 1 uM, but at the two higher
concentrations, microtubules appear very short and abnormal. Cells are not elongated but rather
appear to round up in a dose-dependent manner. Figure 38 shows images of microtubules in
cells exposed to ACEA100116 for 24 hours. Cells treated with only 1 uM ACEA100116 appear
relatively normal; essentially all cells treated with 3 uM or 9 uM were dead after 24 hours of
exposure to ACEA100116.
[0239] Figures 39-41 show the effect of DBTS and organosulfur compounds ACEA 100108
and ACEA 100116 on microtubule assembly in vifro. As shown in Figure 39a, all doses of
DBTS inhibit the extent of microtubule assembly significantly. The effect is especially
prominent at 9 uM. Microtubule structure of both the control (Figure 39b) and drug treated
(Figure 39c) samples were visualized by electron microscopy. As shown in Figure 40, lower
dosages of ACEA100108 had minimal effects upon microtubule assembly. In contrast, 27 uM
ACEA100108 had a marked inhibitory effect upon the extent of microtubule assembly.

[0240] As shown in Figure 41, ACEA100116 is very different that DBTS and
ACEA100108. Whereas the other two drugs inhibit microtubule assembly, ACEA100116
promotes microtubule assembly. This is apparent at both 9 uM and 27 uM. This plot also
exhibits a common, but not well understood, phenomena known as "overshooting" in which the
light scattering pattern does not plateau but rather steadily declines. Nonetheless, it is clear that
ACEA100116 promotes rather than inhibits microtubule assembly in vitro.
[0241] Furthermore, DBTS, ACEA 100108 and ACEA 100116 were shown to influence
microtubule behavior in vitro. As seen in Table 37, all three drugs altered the pattern of
microtubule dynamics. DBTS did not affect the microtubule growth rate but did increase the
average duration of growth events and consequently the average length grown in a growth event.
It also increased the percentage of time spent growing. The average length of shortening events
was also reduced.
[0242] ACEA 100108 also increased the duration of growth events and the average length of
growth events; it also had a strong effect upon the length of shortening events; this effect was
even more pronounced than that of DBTS and ACEA100116 exhibited significantly different
effects than either of the other two drugs. ACEA100116 increased the growth rate but had little
effect upon the length of growing events. It had no effect upon the rate of shortening, but had a
strong effect upon the length of shortening events. While the cell imaging data can not
distinguish between the drugs binding to tubulin or microtubule associated proteins, the in vitro
microtubule assembly and in vitro microtubule dynamics assays both used only purified, MAP-
free tubulin. These observations demonstrate that all three drugs interact directly with tubulin.


EXAMPLE 24
ACEA100108 Induces Apoptosis in Cancer Cells
[0243] To test if ACEA100108 compound induces apoptosis in cancer cells, the A549
human lung cancer cells were treated with luM ACEA100108 and 50 nM paclitaxel or 10 nM
vinblastine. Paclitaxel and vinblastine, the two suppressors of microtubule dynamics were used
as the positive control. A549 cells were seeded in chamber slides at a density of 10,000
cells/well and 18 hours later were treated with the indicated concentrations of the anti-mitotic
compounds ACEA100108, paclitaxel and vinblastine. The cells were incubated with the drugs
for 24 hours and then washed 2X with PBS and 3X with binding buffer (10 mM HEPES, pH 7.5,
140 mM NaCl, 2.5 mM CaCl2). The Cells were stained with lug/mL Annexin V-Cy3 conjugate
(Red, staining the cells that are starting apoptotic process) and 500 uM 6- CFDA (Green,
staining the viable cells) in IX binding buffer for 20 minutes. The cells were gently washed 3X
in IX binding buffer, mounted, viewed under immunofluorescent microscope and imaged using
an attached CCD camera. Note that live cells show staining only with 6-CFDA (green), while
necrotic cells will stain only with Annexin V-Cy3 (red). Cells starting the apoptotic process will
stain both with AnnexinV-Cy3 and 6-CFDA.
[0244] As shown in Figure 42, the cells treated with ACEA100108, paclitaxel, and
vinblastine showed strong staining of Annexin V, while the control cells which were only

treated with DMSO showed no Annexin V staining. This indicates that ACEA100108 induces
apoptosis in A549 human lung cancer cells.
EXAMPLE 25
ACEA100108 Induces G2/M Cell-cycle Arrest in Cancer Cells
[0245] Microtubules are extremely important in the process of mitosis, during which the
duplicated chromosomes of a cell are separated into two identical sets before cleavage of the cell
into two daughter cells. Compounds which target microtubules such as paclitaxel, and
vinblastine suppress the microtubule dynamics and block the process of mitosis. As
consequence, cells will be arrested at G2/M phase. To test if ACEA100108 influences the
process of mitosis in cancer cell dividing, A549 human lung cancer cells were treated with 25
uM ACEA100108 and 7.8 nM paclitaxel, and the cell-cycle effects of the compounds were
detected by flow cytometry.
10246] In briefly, A549 cells were seeded at a density of 500,000 cells in 60 mm tissue
culture dishes. Approximately 18 hours later the cells were treated with the indicated
concentrations of anti-mitotic compounds and allowed to further incubate for 24 hours. The cells
were washed in PBS, trypsinized, counted and fixed in ice-cold 70 % methanol and stored at 4
°C. The cells were washed with PBS, stained with propidium iodide and kept on ice until flow
cytometry analysis. As shown in Figure 43, the cell population at G2/M phase increased
significantly in cells treated with both ACEA100108 and paclitaxel, compared with the cells
treated with DMSO only.
Example 26
Large scale synthesis of Di(p-chlorobenzyl)trisulfide (9)
[0247] A/-Trimethylsilylimidazole (10.67 mL, 97%, d = 0.956, actual weight = 9.89 g, 70.54
mmol) was dissolved in 70 mL of anhydrous hexanes in a dry 250-mL round-bottom flask. To
this stirred solution was added slowly (40-50 min) sulfur dichloride solution in dichloromethane
(35.3 mL, 1.0 M, 35.3 mmol) at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. The white
precipitate was formed. The reaction mixture was stirred for 50 min, and then cooled to 0 °C
under a nitrogen atmosphere. A solution of4-chlorobenzylmercaptan (9.5 mL, 96%, actual
weight = 11.19 g, 70.53 mmol) in 50 mL of anhydrous hexanes was added dropwise under
stirring and nitrogen atmosphere for 40-50 min. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred at 0
°C for 1 hour, and then at room temperature for 3 hours. The white to pale yellow solid was

filtered off through a pad of Celite and washed with small amount of hexanes. The filtrate was
washed with water (200 mL, 100 mL) and then saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution (200
mL). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The drying agent was filtered
off, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure.
[0248] The white solid residue was purified by flash chromatography on a silica gel column
using hexanes-ethyl acetate (60:1) as an eluent. The fractions were monitored with silica gel
TLC using hexanes - ethyl acetate (40:1) as a developing solvent (/?/= 0.45). The desired
fractions were collected, and the solvent was evaporated. The resulting white solid product was
re-crystallized from hexanes to give 11.06 g (90%) desired product 9 as white needle crystalline.
'H NMR (499.1 MHz, CDC13) 5 3.98 (s, 4H), 7.23 (d, 4H, J= 8.4 Hz), 7.30 (d, 4H, J= 8.4 Hz);
ES MS m/z 345 (M-l)Example 27
Large scale synthesis of Di(p-fluorobenzyl)trisulfide (8)
[0249] 7^-Trimethylsilylimidazole (21.42 mL, 97%, d = 0.956, actual weight = 19.86 g,
141.6 mmol) was dissolved in 140 mL of anhydrous hexanes in a dry 500-mL round-bottom
flask. To this stirred solution was added slowly (40-50 min) sulfur dichloride solution in
dichloromethane (70.8 mL, 1.0 M, 70.8 mmol) at room temperature under a nitrogen
atmosphere. The white precipitate was formed. The reaction mixture was stirred for 50 min, and
then cooled to 0 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere. A solution of 4-fiuorobenzyl mercaptan (18.04
mL, 20.86 g, 96%, actual weight = 20.0 g, 140.8 mmol) in 100 mL of anhydrous hexanes was
added dropwise under stirring and nitrogen atmosphere for 40-50 min. The resulting reaction
mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 1 hour, and then at room temperature for 3 hours. The white to
pale yellow solid was filtered off through a pad of Celite and washed with small amount of
hexanes. The filtrate was washed with water (400 mL, 300 mL) and then saturated aqueous
sodium chloride solution (400 mL). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate.
The drying agent was filtered off, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure.
[0250] The white solid residue was purified by flash chromatography on a silica gel column
using hexanes-ethyl acetate (60:1) as an eluent. The fractions were monitored with silica gel
TLC using hexanes-ethyl acetate (40:1) as a developing solvent (i?/= 0.46). The desired
fractions were collected, and the solvent was evaporated. The resulting white solid product was
re-crystallized from hexanes to give 14.7 g (67%) desired product as white needle crystalline.
The mother liquor was concentrated. Further re-crystallization provided 10-15% more

crystalline product, m. p. 61.5-62.1 °C; UV-VIS A, = 218 nm (co, 63700), X = 283 nm (co,
12000); *H NMR (499.1 MHz, CDC13) 8 4.00 (s, 4H), 7.01 (t, 4H, J = 8.8 Hz), 7.27 (dd, 4H, J=
8.8, 5.4 Hz); 13C NMR (125.7 MHz, CDCI3) 5 42.4,115.6,115.8,131.2,131,3, 132.4, 162.5 (C-
F, J = 250 Hz); 19F NMR (376.5 MHz, CDC13) 5 -114.2; ES MS m/z 337 / 338 (M + Na)+; Anal.
Calcd. for C14H12F2S3: C, 53.48; H, 3.85; S, 30.59. Found: C, 53.16; H, 4.22; S, 30.24.
Example 28
Large scale synthesis of di(p-fluorobenzyl)trisulfide (8) using pure sulfur dichloride
[0251] AT-Trimethylsilylimidazole (226.6 mL, 97%, d = 0.956, actual weight = 205.7 g,
1467mmol) was dissolved in 1200 mL of anhydrous hexane and 560 mL of anhydrous
dichloromethane (dried with molecular sieves type 3A) in a dry 3000-mL three-necked flask. To
this stirred solution was added slowly (40-50 min) pure sulfur dichloride (55.9 mL, 90.63 g, 880
mmol, 0.6 eq) at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction took place
immediately with precipitate. The reaction mixture was stirred for 50 min, and then cooled to 0
°C under a nitrogen atmosphere. A solution of 4-fluorobenzyl mercaptan (176 mL, 96%, actual
weight = 200.17 g, 1408 mmol) in 250 mL of anhydrous dichloromethane and 100 mL of
anhydrous hexane was added dropwise under stirring and nitrogen atmosphere for 40-50 min.
The resulting reaction mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 1 hour, and then at room temperature for 3
hours. The reaction was monitored with TLC using hexane-ethyl acetate (40:1) as a development
solvent, and the result indicated that the reaction was normal and completed. The white to pale
yellow solid was filtered off through a pad of Celite and washed with small amount of hexane.
The filtrate was washed twice with water (1000 mL x 2) and then once with saturated aqueous
sodium chloride solution (1000 mL). The organic phase was dried over anhydrous sodium
sulfate. The drying agent was filtered off, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced
pressure. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on a silica gel column (8x36
cm) using petroleum ether (60-90 °C fraction)-ethyl acetate (80:1, 60:1,40:1 and then 20:1) as
gradient eluents. The fractions were monitored with silica gel TLC using n-hexane-ethyl acetate
(40:1) as a developing solvent (Rf= 0.46). The desired fractions were collected, and the solvent
was evaporated. The resulting white solid product was re-crystallized from 1000 mL of hexane
to give 131.0 g of the desired product 8 as white needle crystalline in 59.2% yield (T yield
221.16 g). m. p. 61.5-62.1 °C; UV-VIS X = 218 nm (co, 63700), X = 283 nm (co, 12000); !H
NMR (499.1 MHz, CDCI3) 5 4.00 (s, 4H), 7.01 (t, 4H, /= 8.8 Hz), 7.27 (dd, 4H, J= 8.8, 5.4
Hz); I3C NMR (125.7 MHz, CDCI3) 5 42.4,115.6,115.8,131.2,131,3,132.4,162.5 (C-F, J=

250 Hz); 19F NMR (376.5 MHz, CDC13) 5 -114.2; ES MS m/z 337 /338(M + Na)+; Anal. Calcd.
for C14H12F2S3: C, 53.48; H, 3.85; S, 30.59. Found: C, 53.16; H, 4.22; S, 30.24.
[0252] The asymmetric trisulfides 41-68 (Scheme 3) can be synthesized by Method B
similar to the reported procedure (Derbesy, G.; Harpp, D. N. Tetrahedron Letters, 1994, 35,
5381-5384). For example, a solution of phenylthiol (C6H5CH2SH) (10 mmol) and anhydrous
pyridine (10 mmol) in 25 mL of diethyl ether is added drop wise over a period of 30 minutes to a
cold (-78 °C) stirred solution of sulfur dichloride (10 mmol) in 50 mL of anhydrous diethyl
ether. The reaction mixture is stirred for 30 minutes. The corresponding second thiol (10 mmol)
and anhydrous pyridine (10 mmol) in 25 mL of diethyl ether is added dropwise over a period of
30 minutes at -78 °C, and the reaction mixture is further stirred for an additional 30 minutes. The
reaction mixture is washed with water (2 times), 1 N sodium hydroxide solution (2 times), and
then water (2 times) until pH is neutral. The organic phase is dried over CaCb, or anhydrous
sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated. The residue is passed through a short pad of silica gel
using hexanes-ethyl acetate as eluent to provide high purity products 41-68 in 40-100% yields.
[0253] It is understood that the foregoing detailed description and accompanying examples
are merely illustrative, and are not to be taken as limitations upon the scope of the invention.
Various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications, including without limitation those relating to
the chemical structures, substituents, derivatives, intermediates, syntheses, formulations and/or
methods of use of the invention, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof. U.S. patents and publications referenced herein are incorporated by reference.

We Claim;
1. A compound having the formula:


wherein A and B are the same, and are optionally substituted phenyl rings;
each S is optionally in the form of an oxide;
each R is H, halogen, carboxyl, cyano, amino, amido, SR1, OR1 or R1, wherein each R1 is
alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or a carbocyclic ring, each of which is optionally substituted;
p is 1;
each n is independently 0-3;
and
wherein A and B together may form a cyclic ring system, and the optional substituents on
each A and B are independently selected from the group consisting of F, Br, I, carboxyl, cyano,
amino, amido, SR1, OR1 or R1, wherein each R1 is ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl,
tertiary butyl, pentyl, hexyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, a carbocyclic ring or a
heterocyclic ring, each of which is optionally substituted and may contain a heteroatom; or R1 is
alkyl that is substituted;
and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug or metabolite thereof;
provided said compound is not dibenzyltrisulfide, di(p-chlorobenzyl)trisulfide,
(p-chlorobenzyl)benzyltrisulfide, di(p-nitrobenzyl)trisulfide, di(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)-trisulfide,
diphenyltrisulfide, or di(p-t-butylphenyl)trisulfide.
2. The compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R is independently H, halo, OR1,
SR1, CO2R1, CONR12, C=O, CN, CF3, OCF3, NO2, NR1R1, OCOR1; or R is C1-10 alkyl, C3-10 cyclic
alkyl, C2-10 alkenyl, C2-10 alkynyl, an aryl, or a carbocyclic ring.

3. The compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein A and B are independently

where each W is independently CR7;
each R1, R2, and R7 is H, F, Br, I, carboxyl, cyano, amino, amido, SR1, OR1 or R1, wherein
each R1 is ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl, hexyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,
aryl, heteroaryl, a carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring, each of which is optionally substituted
and may contain a heteroatom, or R1 is alkyl that is substituted.
4. The compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein said compound has the formula (6)

and each n is 1-3; and
R is H, F, Br, I, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl, hexyl, or
halogenated alkyl.
5. The compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein said compound is
di(fluorobenzyl)trisulfide, di(trifIuoromethylbenzyl)trisulfide, or di(2-phenylethyl)trisulfide.
6. The compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein said compound is
di(p-fluorobenzyl)trisulfide.
7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in claim 1, and
a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

8. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a compound having formula:

wherein A and B are the same or different, and are independently an optionally
substituted phenyl ring;
each S is optionally in the form of an oxide;
S1 and S2 are independently S, SO or SO2;
each R is H, halogen, carboxyl, cyano, amino, amido, SR1, OR1 or R1, wherein each R1 is
alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl or a carbocyclic ring, each of which is optionally substituted;
m, n and p are independently 0-3;
wherein A and B together may form a cyclic ring system, and the optional substituents on
each A and B are independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, carboxyl, cyano,
amino, amido, SR1, OR1 or R1, wherein each R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, a
carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring, each of which is optionally substituted and may contain a
heteroatom;
and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
9. A pharmaceutical composition, as claimed in claim 8, wherein said composition is
useful for treating a cancer selected from the group consisting of sarcoma, epidermoid cancer,
fibrosarcoma, leukemia, cervical cancer, lymphoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, CNS cancer,
melanoma, ovarian cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, or
pancreatic cancer in a human subject.
10. The composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cancer is leukemia, non-
small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, fibrosarcoma, epidermoid
cancer, or breast cancer.
11. The composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein said compound is
dibenzyltrisulfide, di(p-fluorobenzyl)trisulfide, di(p-methylbenzyl)trisulfide or di(m-
methylbenzyl)trisulfide.

12. The composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein said composition is useful for
reducing or inhibiting cell proliferation or inducing cell death of a cancer cell selected from
leukemia, sarcoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, epidermoid cancer, fibrosarcoma,
colon cancer, and ovarian cancer, optionally comprising an antiproliferative agent.
13. The composition as claimed in claim 12, wherein cell apoptosis is induced.
14. The composition as claimed in claim 12, wherein tubulin assembly or disassembly
is disrupted, or G2/M progression of the cell cycle, cell mitosis, endothelial cell proliferation,
angiogenesis, or a combination thereof, is inhibited.
15. The composition as claimed in claim 12, wherein said composition is useful for
reducing or inhibiting cell proliferation or indicating cell death of a cancer cell in a human
subject.
16. The composition as claimed in claim 12, wherein said composition is useful for
reducing or inhibiting cell proliferation or indicating cell death of a cancer cell in a cell or tissue.
17. The composition as claimed in claim 12, wherein said compound is
dibenzyltrisulfide, di(p-fluorobenzyl)trisulfide, di(p-methylbenzyl)trisulfide or di(m-
methylbenzyl)trisulfide.
18. The composition as claimed in claim 8, for ameliorating or treating restenosis.
19. The composition as claimed in claim 18, wherein said restenosis is associated
with neointimal hyperplasia.
20. The composition as claimed in claim 18, wherein said composition is useful for
oral or parental administration or administration via a stent.

21. The composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein said compound is
dibenzyltrisulfide, di(p-fIuorobenzyl)trisulfide, di(p-methylbenzyl)trisulfide or di(m-
methylbenzyl)trisulfide.
22. A method for preparing a compound of Formula 1 in claim 20, comprising:

a) contacting N-trimethylsilyl imidazole with sulfur dichloride in a
halogenated solvent to provide diimidazolylsulfide; and
b) contacting said diimidazolylsulfide with mercaptan.
23. A method for preparing a composition comprising a compound as claimed in
claim 1, comprising:
a) dissolving a compound as claimed in claim 1 in a water-soluble organic solvent, a
non-ionic solvent, a water-soluble lipid, a cyclodextrin, a vitamin, a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester,
a phospholipid, or a combination thereof, to provide a solution; and
b) adding saline or a buffer containing 1-10% carbohydrate solution.

24. The compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein each n is 1-3.
25. The compound as claimed in claim 23, wherein m is 1 and p is 1.
26. A compound having the formula:

wherein A and B are different, and are independently an optionally substituted phenyl;
each S is optionally in the form of an oxide;
S1 and S2 are independently S, SO or SO2;
each R is H, halogen, carboxyl, cyano, amino, amido, SR1, OR1 or R1, wherein each R1 is
alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or a carbocyclic ring, each of which is optionally substituted;
m, n and p are independently 0-3;
wherein A and B together may form a cyclic ring system, and the optional substituents on
each A and B are independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, carboxyl, cyano,

amino, amido, SR1, OR1 or R1, wherein each R1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, a
carbocyclic ring or a heterocyclic ring, each of which is optionally substituted and may contain a
heteroatom;
and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug or metabolite thereof;
provided said compound is not (p-chlorobenzyl)benzyltrisulfide.
27. The compound as claimed in claim 25, wherein said compound has the formula
(6)

and each n is 1-3; and
each R is H, halo, alkyl, or halogenated alkyl, and the two R groups are different.
28. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in claim 25
and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
29. The composition as claimed in claim 9, wherein said compound is a compound of
Formula (1), wherein p is 1.
30. The composition as claimed in claim 10, wherein said compound is
dibenzyltrisulfide, di(p-fluorobenzyl)trisulfide, di(p-methylbenzyl)trisulfide or di(m-
methylbenzyl)trisulfide.


The invention discloses a compound having the formula:

wherein A, B, R, S, n and p are as defined in the specification and it preparation.
The invention is also for a pharmaceutical composition comprising said compound and method
for its preparation.

Documents:

02888-kolnp-2006 abstract.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006 claims.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006 correspondence others.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006 description(complete).pdf

02888-kolnp-2006 drawing.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006 form-1.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006 form-3.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006 form-5.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006 international publication.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006 pct form.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006 priority document.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006-correspondence others-1.1.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006-gpa.pdf

02888-kolnp-2006-priority document-1.1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-ABSTRACT 1.1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-AMANDED CLAIMS-1.1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-AMANDED PAGES OF SPECIFICATION.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-ASSIGNMENT.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE-1.2.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE) 1.1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE)-1.2.pdf

2888-kolnp-2006-drawings 1.1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY RECIEVED.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-FORM 1 1.1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-FORM 13.1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-FORM 13.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-FORM 18.1.pdf

2888-kolnp-2006-form 18.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-FORM 2-1.1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-FORM 2.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-FORM 3 1.1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-FORM 3.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-FORM 5.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-GPA.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-DRAWINGS.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-OTHERS 1.1.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-OTHERS-1.2.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-OTHERS.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-OTHERS1.3.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

2888-KOLNP-2006-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf


Patent Number 251939
Indian Patent Application Number 2888/KOLNP/2006
PG Journal Number 16/2012
Publication Date 20-Apr-2012
Grant Date 18-Apr-2012
Date of Filing 06-Oct-2006
Name of Patentee ACEA BIOSCIENCES INC.
Applicant Address 11585 SORRENTO VALLEY ROAD,SUITE 103 SAN DIEGO,CA 92121
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 XU, XIAO 14052 WATERFORD LANE,SAN DIEGO CA 92129
2 WANG,XIAOBO 11684 SPRINGSIDE ROAD,SAN DIEGO CA 92128
3 AN,HAOYUN 7864 PASEO TULIPERO,CARLSBAD,CA 92009
PCT International Classification Number A61K 31/513
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2005/013474
PCT International Filing date 2005-04-20
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/564,151 2004-04-20 U.S.A.