The present invention pertains to
acridone and
acridine compounds of formula (I), wherein either: (a) K is ═O, L is —H, alpha
single bond, beta is a
double bond, gamma is a
single bond (acridones); or, (b) K is a 9-
substituent, L is absent, alpha is a
double bond, beta is a
single bond, gamma is a
double bond (acridines); and wherein: J1 is a 2- or 3-
substituent; J2 is a 6- or 7-
substituent; J1 and J2 are each independently a group of the formula —NHCO(CH2)nNR1R2, wherein: n is an integer from 1 to 5; and, R1 and R2 are independently
hydrogen, C1-7
alkyl, C3-20heterocyclyl, or C5-20
aryl, or R1 and R2, taken together with the
nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic ring having from 3 to 8 ring atoms; and wherein, when K is a 9-substituent, K is a group of the formula —N(RN)Q, wherein: RN is an amino substituent and is
hydrogen, C1-7
alkyl, C3-20heterocyclyl, or C5-20
aryl; and, Q is C1-7
alkyl, C3-20heterocyclyl, or C5-20
aryl, and is optionally substituted; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, amides, solvates, hydrates, and protected forms thereof. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both
in vitro and
in vivo, to inhibit
telomerase, to regulate
cell proliferation, and in the treatment of proliferative conditions, such as
cancer.