Cancer treatments and pharmaceutical compositions therefor

Abstract

A pharmaceutical composition that inhibits the growth of tumors and cancers in mammals and can be used to treat viral infections that comprises a fungicide is disclosed. The particular fungicide used is a benzimidazole derivative having the formula: wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H, carboxyl (—CO 2 H), hydroxyl, amino or esters (—CO 2 R′) wherein R′ is selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, haloalkyl, alkenyl, and cycloalkyl wherein the alkyl groups have from 1-8 carbons or CH 3 CH 2 (OCH 2 CH 2 ) n — or CH 3 CH 2 CH 2 (OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 ) n — or (CH 3 ) 2 CH—(OCH(CH 3 )CH 2 ) n — wherein n is from 1-3, the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or mixtures thereof.

1 . A method for treating cancer or a tumor susceptible to treatment comprising: 
 administering to a mammal in need thereof a safe and effective amount of a benzimidazole derivative having the formula:                          wherein    R is —CO 2 R′, and R′ is alkenyl having 1-8 carbons or cycloalkyl having 1-8 carbons,    a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable salt is selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, sulfonate, formate, tartrate, maleate, malate, citrate, benzoate, salicylate, ascorbate and a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein R′ is cycloalkyl having 3-6 carbons.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the benzimidazole derivative is:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the benzimidazole derivative is:  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cancer or tumor susceptible to treatment is carcinoma.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the carcinoma is colon carcinoma.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the carcinoma is melanoma.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the amount of benzimidazole derivative administered is 15 mg/kg to about 1500 mg/kg body weight.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the benzimidazole derivative is administered in an oral dosage form.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the oral dosage form comprises a tablet or capsule.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the oral dosage form comprises a liquid solution.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the benzimidazole derivative is administered intravenously.