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 composition comprising an isoselenocyanate having the structural formula:
where R′ is a substituted or unsubstituted, branched or straight chain, lower alkyl group, and where n is an integer in the range of 3-8, inclusive.
2. The composition of claim 1 wherein R′ is CH 3 .
3. The composition of claim 1 , where R′ is CH 3 and n is 4.
4. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising:
the isoselenocyanate of claim 1 ; and
a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
5. The composition of claim 4 , wherein the pharmaceutical composition is formulated for topical application.