Ite for cancer intervention and eradication

Abstract

A method of cancer intervention or eradication by administering an effective amount of an endogenous ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor (AhR) named ITE or one of its analogs (the active ingredient) to a subject with cancer is disclosed. An effective dose and dosing frequency of the active ingredient are determined by measuring its blood levels of the subject after dosing. The active ingredient formulated with a carrier system is applied topically, enterally, or parenterally to the subject. The formulated drug can also be administered together with one or more of other cancer therapeutic agents. A maintenance dosing is provided after the subject is free of cancer to insure the cancer eradication. Subjects with cancers of prostate, liver, lung, ovarian, and breast are preferably accepted for treatment.

1 . A method of cancer intervention or eradication by means of administering an effective amount of ITE or one of its structural analogs to a subject with cancer. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ITE or one of its structural analogs is combined with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers to assist its administration to the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of administering ITE or one of its structural analogs is selected from a group consisting of topical, enteral, and parenteral application. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount of ITE or one of its structural analogs and the frequency of administering ITE or one of its structural analogs are determined by monitoring its concentration-time profile in the subject's blood, consulting with an established correlation, built during trial or trials, between the similar concentration-time profiles and the effects on cancer inhibition or eradication, and balancing the therapeutic effects achievable with both the possible toxicity to the subject and the health condition or physical durability of the subject. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ITE or one of its structural analogs is, optionally, administered together with one or more other cancer therapeutic agents to the subject, either at the same or different schedules. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a maintenance dosing, whose duration is directed by trial or trials, of ITE or one of its structural analogs is provided after the subject is free of cancer to ensure cancer eradication. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ITE is of the following structural formula (Structural Formula 1): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a specifically selected structural analog of ITE is named ITK with the following structural formula (Structural Formula 2): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein another specifically selected structural analog of ITE is named ITSE with the following structural formula (Structural Formula 3): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the other structural analogs of ITE is represented by the following structural formula (Structural Formula 4): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein:
 X and Y, independently, can be either O (oxygen) or S (sulfur); 
 R N  can be selected from hydrogen, halo, cyano, formyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkanoyl, haloalkanoyl, or a nitrogen protective group; 
 R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5  can be independently selected from hydrogen, halo, hydroxy (—OH), thiol (—SH), cyano (—CN), formyl (—CHO), alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, nitro (—NO 2 ), alkoxy, haloalkoxy, thioalkoxy, alkanoyl, haloalkanoyl, or carbonyloxy; 
 R 6  and R 7 , can be independently selected from hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, thiol, cyano, formyl, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, nitro, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, or thioalkoxy; or 
 R 6  and R 7 , independently, can be: 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 8  can be selected from hydrogen, halo, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; or
 R 6  and R 7 , independently, can be: 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 9  can be selected from hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; or
 R 6  and R 7 , independently, can be: 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 10  can be selected from hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, thiol, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, nitro; or
 R 6  and R 7 , independently, can also be: 
 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 11  can be selected from hydrogen, halo, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is selected from a group consisting of human beings and other animals, especially mammals. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cancer is selected from a group consisting of prostate, liver, lung, ovarian, and breast cancer.