Compounds and methods for treatment of cancer and modulation of programmed cell death for melanoma and other cancer cells

1. A compound having formula:

and salts thereof;

where:

n is 0 or I and m is 2;

R 4 of the —NR 4 — group is hydrogen;

one of the CH 2 groups of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups that is not linked to —CO— or —NR 4 — can be replaced with an oxygen atom;

one or more of the carbons of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be substituted with one or two non-hydrogen substituents selected from halogens, alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms;

a —CH 2 —CH 2 — group of either or both of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be replaced with a —CR 4 ═CR 4 — groups where each R 4 group therein is, independently, a hydrogen or an alkyl group;

A is an optionally substituted triphenyl methyl group; and

B is an optionally substituted phenyl ring, wherein the phenyl rings of A and B are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or combinations of such substituents.

2. The compound of claim 1 wherein n is 1.

3. The compound of claim 1 wherein A is an unsubstituted triphenyl methyl group.

4. The compound of claim 3 wherein B is a phenyl ring substituted with one or more alkoxy groups.

5. The compound of claim 1 having the structure of Compound Z2:

6. The compound of claim 1 having the structure of Compound Z3:

7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

8. A compound having formula:

and salts thereof;

where:

n and m, independently, are integers ranging from 1 to 6;

R 4 of the —NR 4 — group is a hydrogen or an alkyl group;

a —CH 2 —CH 2 — group of one or both of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups is replaced with a —CR 4 ═CR 4 — group, where each R 4 group therein is, independently, a hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1-3 carbon atoms;

A and B, independently, are selected from C or D where:

C is a straight-chain alkyl group substituted with one or more optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or combinations of such substituents; or

C is an alkyl group substituted with one, two or three optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or combinations of such substituents;

D is an optionally substituted aromatic group having one or two carbon rings which may be fused aromatic rings, wherein one or more carbons of the one or two aromatic rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbons, wherein the alkyl and alkoxyl groups may be substituted with one or more halogens; and

wherein only one of A or B can be C.

9. A compound having formula:

and salts thereof;

where:

n and m, independently, are integers ranging from 1 to 6;

R 4 of the —NR 4 — group is a hydrogen or an alkyl group;

a —CH 2 —CH 2 — group of one or both of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups is replaced with a −CR 4 ═CR 4 — group, where each R 4 group therein is, independently, a hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1-3 carbon atoms;

A and B, independently, are selected from C or D where:

C is a straight-chain alkyl group substituted with one or more optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or combinations of such substituents; or

C is an alkyl group substituted with one, two or three optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or combinations of such substituents;

D is an optionally substituted aromatic group having one or two carbon rings, which may be fused aromatic rings, wherein one or more carbons of the one or two aromatic rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbons, wherein the alkyl and alkoxyl groups may be substituted with one or more halogens;

wherein only one of A or B can be C; and

wherein the R 4 group of the —CR 4 ═CR 4 — group is hydrogen.

10. The compound of claim 9 wherein the R 4 group of the —NR 4 — group is hydrogen.

11. The compound of claim 10 wherein m and n are 2.

12. The compound of claim 11 wherein —(CH 2 ) n — is replaced with —CH═CH—.

13. The compound of claim 12 wherein A and B are D.

14. The compound of claim 11 wherein one or more of the carbons of the —(CH 2 ) m — are substituted with one or two non-hydrogen substituents selected from halogens, alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

15. The compound of claim 14 wherein —(CH 2 ) n — is replaced with —CH═CH—.

16. The compound of claim 15 wherein A and B are D.

17. The compound of claim 12 wherein D is a substituted aromatic group having one carbon ring, wherein one or more carbons of the ring are substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbons, wherein the alkyl and alkoxy groups are optionally substituted with one or more halogens.

18. The compound of claim 17 wherein A is an aromatic group having one carbon ring optionally substituted with one or more halogens.

19. The compound of claim 17 wherein B is an aromatic group having one carbon ring substituted with one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbons, wherein the alkoxy groups are optionally substituted with one or more halogens.

20. The compound of claim 19 wherein A is an aromatic group having one carbon ring optionally substituted with one or more halogens.

21. The compound of claim 18 wherein one or more of the carbons of the —(CH 2 ) m — group are substituted with one or two non-hydrogen substituents selected from halogens, alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

22. The compound of claim 19 wherein one or more of the carbons of the —(CH 2 ) m — group are substituted with one or two non-hydrogen substituents selected from halogens, alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

23. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an effective amount of a compound having formula:

and salts thereof;

where:

n and m, independently, are zeroes or integers ranging from 1 to 6;

R 4 of the —NR 4 — group is an alkyl group;

one of the CH 2 groups of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups that is not linked to —CO—, or —NR 4 — can be replaced with an oxygen atom;

one or more of the carbons of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be substituted with one or two non-hydrogen substituents selected from halogens, alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms;

a —CH 2 —CH 2 — group of either or both of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be replaced with a —CR 4 ═CR 4 — group, where each R 4 group therein is, independently, a hydrogen or an alkyl group;

A and B, independently, are selected from C or D where:

C is a straight-chain alkyl group substituted with one or more optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or combinations of such substituents; or

C is an alkyl group substituted with one, two or three optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or combinations of such substituents;

D is an optionally substituted aromatic group having one or two carbon rings, which may be fused aromatic rings, wherein one or more carbons of the one or two aromatic rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbons, wherein the alkyl and alkoxy groups may be substituted with one or more halogens; and

wherein only one of A or B can be C.

24. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an effective amount of a compound having formula:

and salts thereof;

where:

n and m, independently, are zeroes or integers ranging from 1 to 6;

R 4 of the —NR 4 — group is an alkyl group;

a —CH 2 —CH 2 — group of either or both of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups is optionally replaced with a —CR 4 ═CR 4 — group, where each R 4 group therein is, independently, a hydrogen or an alkyl group;

A and B, independently, are selected from C or D where:

C is a straight-chain alkyl group substituted with one or more optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or combinations of such substituents; or

C is an alkyl group substituted with one, two or three optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or combinations of such substituents;

D is an optionally substituted aromatic group having one or two carbon rings, which may be fused aromatic rings, wherein one or more carbons of the one or two aromatic rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbons, wherein the alkyl or alkoxy groups may be substituted with one or more halogens; and

wherein only one of A or B can be C.

25. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of claim 8 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

26. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an effective amount of a compound having formula:

and salts thereof;

where:

m and n are 2;

R 4 is a hydrogen or an alkyl group;

one of the CH 2 groups of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups that is not linked to —CO, or can be replaced with an oxygen atom;

one or more of the carbons of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be substituted with one or two non-hydrogen substituents selected from halogens, alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms;

a —CH 2 —CH 2 — group of either or both of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be replaced with a —CR 4 ═CR 4 — group, where each R 4 group therein is independently, a hydrogen or an alkyl group;

A and B, independently, are selected from C or D where:

C is a straight-chain alkyl group substituted with one or more optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or combinations of such substituents; or

C is an alkyl group substituted with one, two or three optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or combinations of such substituents;

D is an optionally substituted aromatic group having one or two carbon rings, which may be fused aromatic rings, wherein one or more carbons of the one or two aromatic rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbons, wherein the alkyl and alkoxy groups may be substituted with one or more halogens; and

wherein only one of A or B can be C.

27. A compound having formula:

and salts thereof;

where:

n and m, independently, are zeroes or integers ranging from 1 to 6;

R 4 of the —NR 4 — group is an alkyl group;

one of the CH 2 groups of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups that is not linked to —CO, or —NR 4 — can be replaced with an oxygen atom;

one or more of the carbons of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be substituted with one or two non-hydrogen substituents selected from halogens, alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms;

a —CH 2 —CH 2 — group of either or both of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be replaced with a —CR 4 ═CR 4 — group, where each R 4 group therein is, independently, a hydrogen or an alkyl group;

A and B, independently, are selected from C or D where:

C is a straight-chain alkyl group substituted with one or more optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or combinations of such substituents; or

C is an alkyl group substituted with one, two or three optionally substituted phenyl rings, wherein the phenyl rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or combinations of such substituents;

D is an optionally substituted aromatic group having one or two carbon rings, which may be fused aromatic rings, wherein one or more carbons of the one or two aromatic rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbons, wherein the alkyl and alkoxy groups may be substituted with one or more halogens;

wherein only one of A or B can be C; and

wherein the R 4 group of —NR 4 — or the R 4 group of —CR 4 ═CR 4 — is an alkyl group having 1-3 carbon atoms.

28. The compound of claim 1 wherein n is 0.

29. A compound having formula:

and salts thereof;

where:

n and m, independently, are zeroes or integers ranging from 1 to 6;

R 4 of the —NR 4 — group is an alkyl group;

one of the CH 2 groups of the —(CH 2 ) m — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups that is not linked to —CO, or —NR 4 — can be replaced with an oxygen atom;

one or more of the carbons of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be substituted with one or two non-hydrogen substituents selected from halogens, alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms;

a —CH 2 —CH 2 — group of either or both of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be replaced with a —CR 4 ═CR 4 — group, where each R 4 group therein is, independently, a hydrogen or an alkyl group;

A and B, independently, are selected from C or D where:

C is a triphenyl methyl group; and

D is an optionally substituted aromatic group having one or two carbon rings, which may be fused aromatic rings, wherein one or more carbons of the one or two aromatic rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbons, wherein the alkyl and alkoxy groups may be substituted with one or more halogens; and

wherein only one of A or B can be C.

30. A compound having formula:

and salts thereof;

where:

n and m, independently, are zeroes or integers ranging from 1 to 6;

R 4 of the —NR 4 — group is an alkyl group;

one of the CH 2 groups of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups that is not linked to —CO, or —NR 4 — can be replaced with an oxygen atom;

one or more of the carbons of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be substituted with one or two non-hydrogen substituents selected from halogens, alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms;

a —CH 2 —CH 2 — group of either or both of the —(CH 2 ) n — or —(CH 2 ) m — groups can be replaced with a —CR 4 ═CR 4 — group, where each R 4 group therein is, independently, a hydrogen or an alkyl group;

A is a triphenyl methyl group and B is D, where

D is an optionally substituted aromatic group having one or two carbon rings, which may be fused aromatic rings, wherein one or more carbons of the one or two aromatic rings are optionally substituted with one or more halogens, one or more alkyl groups having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or one or more alkoxy groups having from 1 to 3 carbons, wherein the alkyl and alkoxy groups may be substituted with one or more halogens.

31. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of claim 30 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

32. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of claim 30 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

33. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of claim 9 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

34. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of claim 27 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.