Isoflavonoid compounds and methods for the treatment of cancer

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein
 R 1  is hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkyl, or halo; 
 R 2  is hydroxy or alkoxy; 
 R 3  is alkyl, halo, or haloalkyl; 
 R 4 , R 5 , and R 6  are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, or alkyl; and 
 R 7  is alkyl or hydrogen. 
 
       
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein R 1  is hydroxy or methoxy. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of any of  claims 1 - 2 , wherein R 2  is hydroxy. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of any of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein R 3  is methyl, 
     
     
         5 . The composition of any of  claims 1 - 4 , wherein R 7  is methyl. 
     
     
         6 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula IV or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein
 R 8  is hydrogen. 
 
       
     
     
         7 . The composition of any of  claims 1 - 6 , wherein the composition further comprises an anti-cancer agent selected from the group consisting of cisplatin, carboplatin, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, doxorubicin, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, capecitabine, 5-fluorouracil, vinorelbine, trastuzumab or bevacizumab. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of any of  claims 1 - 7 , wherein the composition further comprises a cyclodextrin. 
     
     
         9 . A kit comprising a composition of any of  claims 1 - 8  and a sealable, plastic infusion bag. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of any one of  claims 1 - 8  for use in inducing apoptosis in a cancer cell. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of any one of  claims 1 - 8  for use in the treatment of cancer in an individual in need of cancer therapy. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of any one of  claims 1 - 8  for use in increasing, inducing, or restoring sensitivity of a cancer cell to a chemotherapeutic agent, anti-cancer agent or radiation therapy. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein the cancer cell has lost sensitivity to a chemotherapeutic agent, anti-cancer agent or radiation therapy. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of any one of  claims 10 - 13 , wherein said cancer is selected from the group consisting of bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, endometrial cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer and cancers of the brain. 
     
     
         15 . The compound of any one of  claims 10 - 14 , wherein said cancer is human breast cancer or ovarian cancer.