Method for inhibiting the growth of cancer stem cells

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for inhibiting the growth of cancer stem cells, particularly colorectal cancer stem cells, liver cancer stem cells, lung cancer stem cells or breast cancer stem cells, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of antimycin A or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

1 . A method for inhibiting the growth of cancer stem cells or cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I (antimycin A) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer stem cells are colorectal cancer stem cells, liver cancer stem cells, lung cancer stem cells or breast cancer stem cells. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells are colorectal cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells, liver cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells, lung cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells or breast cancer stem-like side population (SP) cells. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer is lung cancer. 
     
     
         5 . A method for treating a cancer with a reduced resistance acquired by the administration of an anti-cancer agent, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I (antimycin A) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       in combination of an administration of an anti-cancer agent. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , the anti-cancer agent is gefitinib or erlotinib. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the compound of formula I is administered simultaneously or before the anti-cancer agent is administered. 
     
     
         8 . A method for downregulating Wnt/β-caterin pathway, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I (antimycin A) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , the compound of formula I (antimycin A) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered in combination with an anti-cancer agent. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , the anti-cancer agent is gefitinib or erlotinib.