Compositions and methods relating to novel compounds and targets thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel chemical compounds, methods for their discovery, and their therapeutic use. In particular, the present invention provides benzodiazepine derivatives and related compounds and methods of using benzodiazepine derivatives and related compounds as therapeutic agents to treat a number of conditions associated with the faulty regulation of the processes of programmed cell death, autoimmunity, inflammation, hyperproliferation, and the like.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 303,272, filed May 1, 2009, which is a 371 United States national stage application of expired International Patent Application No. PCT / US2007 / 013576, International Filing Date Jun. 8, 2007, which application claims the benefit of priority to expired U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 812,270, filed Jun. 9, 2006, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]This invention was made with government support under Grant No. GM046831 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to novel chemical compounds, methods for their discovery, and their therapeutic use. In particular, the present invention provides benzodiazepine derivatives and related c...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The benzodiazepine derivatives effectively modulate cellular processes to induce apoptosis in target cells, offering a more selective and resistant-free approach to treating conditions like cancers and autoimmune disorders with reduced side effects.

Problems solved by technology

However, as shown above, flawed regulation of apoptosis can cause serious deleterious effects in the organism.

However, existing cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents have serious drawbacks.

This lack of specificity often results in severe side effects that can limit efficacy and / or result in early mortality.

Moreover, prolonged administration of many existing cytotoxic agents results in the expression of resistance genes (e.g., bcl-2 family or multi-drug resistance (MDR) proteins) that render further dosing either less effective or useless.

Hence, the selectivity of these drugs is limited and often relies on the differential ability of diseased and healthy cells to tolerate and repair drug-induced cellular damage.

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