Methods and compositions for promoting activity of anti-cancer therapies

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting growth of a cancerous cell. The method includes the step of exposing the cancerous cell to an anti-cancer therapy and an effective amount of a steroid saponin.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting growth of a cancerous cell, the method including the step of exposing the cancerous cell to an anti-cancer agent and an effective amount of a steroid saponin, wherein the steroid saponin is selected from the group consisting of deltonin (diosgenin Rha2, [Glc4], Glc), dioscin (diosgenin Rha2, [Rha4], Glc), and prosapogenin A (diosgenin Rha2, Glc). 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the anti-cancer agent is selected from one or more of the group consisting of cisplatin, taxol (paclitaxel), docetaxel, vincristine sulphate, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil and imatinib. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method is used to inhibit formation and/or growth of a tumor in a subject. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method is used to treat cancer in a subject. 
     
     
         5 . A method of promoting the activity of an anti-cancer agent in a subject, the method including exposing the subject to an effective amount of a steroid saponin, wherein the steroid saponin is selected from the group consisting of deltonin (diosgenin Rha2, [Glc4], Glc), dioscin (diosgenin Rha2, [Rha4], Glc), and prosapogenin A (diosgenin Rha2, Glc). 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the anti-cancer agent is selected from one or more of the group consisting of cisplatin, taxol (paclitaxel), docetaxel, vincristine sulphate, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil and imatinib. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the method is used to reduce the amount of the anti-cancer agent provided to the subject to treat a cancer in the subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the method is used to treat a cancer in the subject, wherein the subject has an increased resistance to the anti-cancer agent. 
     
     
         9 . A method of promoting apoptosis of a cancerous cell due to exposure of the cancerous cell to an anti-cancer agent, the method including exposing the cancerous cell to an effective amount of a steroid saponin, wherein the steroid saponin is selected from the group consisting of deltonin (diosgenin Rha2, [Glc4], Glc), dioscin (diosgenin Rha2, [Rha4], Glc), and prosapogenin A (diosgenin Rha2, Glc). 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the anti-cancer agent is selected from one or more of the group consisting of cisplatin, taxol (paclitaxel), docetaxel, vincristine sulphate, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil and imatinib. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the method reduces resistance developing to anti-cancer agent in the cancerous cell.