Anti-cancer compositions and methods
Anti-cancer compositions and methods are described including one or more isothiocyanates and/or isoselenocyanates. Methods of treating a subject are provided according to embodiments of the present invention which include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject having a condition characterized by Akt dysregulation. Administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including an isothiocyanate and/or isoselenocyanate to a subject detectably increases apoptosis and/or decreases proliferation of cancer cells, particularly cancer cells characterized by Akt dysregulation.
1. A method of treating a subject having melanoma, comprising:
administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a compound having the structural formula:
R—(CH 2 ) n —N═C═X, where n is an integer in the range of 1-8, inclusive, where X is Se, and where R is phenyl to the subject having melanoma.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a phenylalkyl isoselenocyanate having the structural formula:
where n is 4 or 6.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the subject is human.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition is formulated for topical application.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cancer is characterized by dysregulation of Akt.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cancer is characterized by dysregulation of Akt3.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein administering the therapeutically effective amount of the composition to a subject detectably increases apoptosis and/or decreases proliferation of cells of the melanoma.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising administration of an adjunct anti-cancer treatment.