Diazo bicyclic Smac mimetics and the uses thereof
The invention relates to diazo bicyclic mimetics of Smac which function as inhibitors of Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins. The invention also relates to the use of these mimetics for inducing apoptotic cell death and for sensitizing cells to inducers of apoptosis.
1. A composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, amide or ester thereof.
2. A method of inducing apoptosis in a cell and/or rendering a cell sensitive to an inducer of apoptosis comprising contacting the cell with the compound of claim 1 .
3. A method of treating a cancer in an animal, comprising administering to said animal a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 1 , said cancer selected from the group consisting of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, melanoma, and leukemia.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising administering an inducer of apoptosis.
5. The method of claim 3 , further comprising administering an anticancer agent.