AU742981B2 - Treatment of disease states which result from neoplastic cell proliferation using PPAR-upsilon activators and compositions useful therefor - Google Patents

Description

i) S F Ref: 47024501

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 4, COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies 10010 North Torrey Pines Road La Jolla California 90237 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Ronald M. Evans, Peter Tontonoz and Nagy Laszlo.

Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Treatment of Disease States Which Result from Neoplastic Cell Proliferation Using PPAR-y Activators and Compositions Useful Therefor The following statement is a full description best method of performing it known to me/us:of this invention, including the 5845 Treatment of Disease States Which Result from Neoplastic Cell Proliferation Using PPAR-y Activators and Compositions Useful Therefor Field of the Invention The present invention relates to methods for the treatment of disease states which result from neoplastic cell proliferation. In another aspect, the present invention relates to compounds and compositions which are useful for carrying out the above-referenced methods.

Background of the Invention Neoplastic cell proliferation is the underlying cause of a wide variety of diseases, eg., breast cancer, leukemia, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and the like. Traditional approaches to treatment of neoplastic cell proliferation include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and the like, as well as combinations thereof. Unfortunately, conventional methods for the treatment of neoplastic cell proliferation require major invasive procedures, induce a variety of undesirable side effects, and/or lead to complete response in only a small percentage of cases. Thus, for many patients, conventional methods of treatment are largely palliative.

Thus, for example, with respect to Liposarcoma, which is the most common soft tissue malignancy in adults, accounting for at least 20% of all sarcomas in this age group, localised disease is treated primarily with surgery, often in combination with radiotherapy. Metastatic liposarcoma is associated with an extremely poor prognosis, with average five year survival ranging from 70% to 25%, depending on the type of tumour.

Unfortunately, conventional chemotherapy for metastatic liposarcoma leads to complete response in only about 10% of cases. Thus, for most liposarcoma patients, conventional chemotherapy is largely palliative.

Induction of terminal differentiation represents a promising alternative to conventional methods 25 of treatment for certain malignancies. For example, the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARo), which ,oooo S" plays an important role in the differentiation and malignant transformation of cells of myelocytic lineage, has been used as a target for intervention in acute promyelocytic leukemia. Indeed, *:.differentiation therapy with all-trans retinoic acid has become the standard of care for this disease. In view of this success, it has been speculated that nuclear receptors that regulate growth and differentiation of other cell types may also represent potential targets for differentiation therapy.

Accordingly, the development, of effective, non-invasive methods for treating a variety of disease states which result from neoplastic cell proliferation would represent a significant advancement in the therapeutic arts.

Brief Description of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, we have discovered that PPARy is expressed consistently in tissues associated with each of a variety of disease states which result from neoplastic cell proliferation. It has further been discovered that maximal activation of PPARy with exogenous ligand promotes terminal differentiation of primary cells which are otherwise subject to neoplastic cell C06849 2 proliferation. Thus, cells undergoing neoplastic cell proliferation can be induced to differentiate, thereby blocking further proliferation thereof.

In accordance with the present invention, it has still further been discovered that RXR-specific ligands are also potent agents for induction of differentiation of cells expressing the PPARy/RXRao heterodimer, and that simultaneous treatment of cells subject to neoplastic cell proliferation with a PPARy-selective ligand, in combination with an RXR-specific ligand, results in an additive stimulation of differentiation. Accordingly, according to the invention, there have been identified compounds and compositions which are useful for the treatment of a variety of disease states which result from neoplastic cell proliferation.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for treating a subject suffering from a disease state which is the result of neoplastic cell proliferation of cells which express PPAR-y, said method comprising administering to said subject an amount of a therapeutic composition effective to ameliorate the effect of neoplastic cell proliferation on said cells, wherein said therapeutic composition comprises at least one PPAR-y activator in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, there is provided at least one PPAR-y activator when used in treating a subject suffering from a disease state which is the result of neoplastic cell proliferation of cells which express PPAR-y.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, there is provided the use of at least one PPAR-y activator for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a subject S suffering from a disease state which is the result of neoplastic cell proliferation of cells which express PPAR-y.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for 25 modulating growth at neoplastic cells, wherein said growth is mediated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-y) said method comprising contacting said cells with a composition effective to modulate said growth, wherein said composition comprises at least one PPAR-y activator in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

According to a fifth embodiment of the invention, there is provided a composition comprising at least one PPAR-y-selective activator and at least one retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist.

Brief Description of the Figures SFigure 1 presents growth curves for the growth of HL-60 cells treated with various [I:\DAYLIB\LIBFF]06849Aspec.doc:gcc '1 7 i* 2a ligands for PPARy and/or RXR. In the Figure, open circles represent the control (no ligand addition), darkened circles represent administration of 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis PA), open boxes represent administration of LG268, darkened boxes represent administration of prostaglandin J2 and represents co-administration of LG268 and PG-J2.

Figure 2 presents a cell cycle analysis of HL-60 cells when treated with various ligands for PPAR-y and/or RXR. In the Figure, the darkened portion of each graph represents that proportion of the cell population in Gl phase, the white portion of each graph represents that proportion of the cell population in S phase, and the striped portion 0o of each graph represents that proportion of the cell population in G2 phase.

Detailed Description of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for the treatment of subjects suffering from disease states which are the result of neoplastic cell proliferation of cells which express PPAR-y, said method comprising administering to said subject an amount of a therapeutic composition effective to ameliorate the effect of neoplastic cell proliferation on said cells, wherein said therapeutic composition comprises at least one PPAR-y activator in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

Optionally, therapeutic compositions employed in the practice of the present invention can also contain at least one retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist. Invention 20 methods can also be used in a prophylactic manner, ie., to prevent the onset of disease states which are th e result of neoplastic cell proliferation of cells which express PPAR-y.

A variety of disease states have been discovered to be the result of neoplastic cell proliferation of cells which express PPAR-y, and thus are amenable to treatment (and/or prevention) according to the present invention. Such disease states include, for example, 25 breast cancer, myelogenous leukemia, colon cancer, prostate cancer, liposarcomas, and the.like.

A variety of PPAR-y activators are suitable for use in the practice of the present invention. Thus, for example, aromatic compounds bearing at least one heteroatomcontaining cyclic moiety thiazolidinediones), PPARy-selective prostaglandins, and the like, are contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention.

[I:\DAYLIB\LIBFF]06849Aspec.doc:gcc Exemplary PPARy activators contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention include aromatic compounds bearing at least one heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety. Such compounds can be described broadly with reference to the general structure I:

R

3

I

R

2

X

3

AR

4 1 R, R 6

(I)

wherein: each of X1, X2, X 3

X

4

X

5 and X 6 is independently carbon, nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, with the proviso that at least three of the atoms forming the ring are carbon, Ri is alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, poly (alkylene oxide), substituted poly(alkylene oxide), poly(alkylene sulfide), substituted poly(alkylene sulfide), poly(alkylene amine), substituted poly(alkylene amine), -OR, -SR or -NR 2 wherein each R is independently alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, poly(alkylene oxide), substituted poly(alkylene oxide), poly(alkylene sulfide), substituted poly(alkylene sulfide), poly(alkylene amine) or substituted poly(alkylene amine); with Ri having in the range of 2 up to carbon atoms being preferred; R 2 is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, oxyalkyl, poly(alkylene oxide) or substituted poly(alkylene oxide); with R2 having in the range of 1 up to about 15 carbon atoms being preferred; R 3 is hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl or substituted alkynyl; with R 3 having in the range of 0 up to about 6 carbon atoms being o1 preferred; R4 is hydrogen, formyl, acyl, lower alkyl or substituted lower alkyl; with R4 having in the range of 0 up to about 4 carbon atoms being preferred; Rs is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl or halogen; with R5 having in the range of 0 up to about 6 carbon atoms being preferred; and R 6 is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted •alkynyl or halogen; with R 6 having in the range of 0 up to about 6 carbon atoms being preferred.

Those of skill in the art recognise that the core ring of structure I can be any one of a number of different aromatic or pseudo-aromatic structures, eg., a benzene ring, a pyridine ring, a pyrazine, an oxazine, and the like.

As employed herein, "lower alkyl" refers to straight or branched chain alkyl groups having in the range of about 1 up to 4 carbon atoms; "alkyl" refers to straight or branched chain alkyl groups having in the range of about 1 up to 12 carbon atoms; "substituted alkyl" refers to alkyl groups further bearing one or more substituents such as hydroxy, alkoxy (of a lower alkyl group), mercapto (of a lower alkyl C06849 group), halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, amino, carboxyl, carbamate, sulfonyl,- sulfonamide, heteroatom-containing cyclic moieties, substituted heteroatom-containing cyclic moieties, and the like.

As employed herein, "alkenyl" refers to straight or branched chain hydrocarbyl groups having at least one carbon-carbon double bond, and having in the range of about 2 up to 12 carbon atoms and "substituted alkenyl" refers to alkenyl groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "alkynyl" refers to straight or branched chain hydrocarbyl groups having at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, and having in the range of about 2 up to 12 carbon atoms, and "substituted alkynyl" refers to alkynyl groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "aryl" refers to aromatic groups having in the range of 6 up to 14 carbon atoms and "substituted aryl" refers to aryl groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "alkylaryl" refers to alkyl-substituted aryl groups and "substituted alkylaryl" refers to alkylaryl groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "alkenylaryl" refers to alkenyl-substituted aryl groups and "substituted alkenylaryl" refers to alkenylaryl groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "alkynylaryl" refers to alkynyl-substituted aryl groups and "substituted alkynylaryl" refers to alkynylaryl groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "arylalkyl" refers to aryl-substituted alkyl groups and "substituted arylalkyl" refers to arylalkyl groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "arylalkenyl" refers to aryl-substituted alkenyl groups and "substituted arylalkenyl" refers to arylalkenyl groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "arylalkynyl" refers to aryl-substituted alkynyl groups and "substituted arylalkynyl" refers to arylalkynyl groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "poly(alkylene oxide)" refers to compounds having the general structure: [(CR'2)x-O]yH, wherein each R' is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl, x falls in the range of 1 up to about 4 and y falls in the range of 2 up to about 8; "substituted poly(alkylene oxide)" refers to poly(alkylene oxide) groups further bearing one or more substituents as set: forth above.

As employed herein, "poly(alkylene sulfide)" refers to compounds having the general structure: wherein x and y are as defined above; "substituted poly(alkylene sulfide)" refers to poly(alkylene sulfide) groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "poly(alkylene amine)" refers to compounds having the general structure: wherein x and y are as defined above; "substituted poly(alkylene amine)" refers 35 to poly(alkylene amine) groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "acyl" refers to alkylcarbonyl species.

As employed herein, "halogen" or "halo" refers to fluoro substituents, chloro substituents, bromo substituents or iodo substituents.

In a presently preferred aspect of the present invention, "Ri" of Formula I is selected from: -Ynor wherein: Y is or C06849 n is 0 or 1, each R" is independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, thioalkyl, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, amino, carboxyl, carbamate, sulfonyl or sulfonamide, is hydrogen, lower alkyl or substituted alkyl, m falls in the range of 1 up to 15, each m' falls independently in the range of 1 up to 8, each m" falls independently in the range of 0 up to 12, s and Z is a heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety, a substituted heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety, cyano, nitro, amino, carbamate, -ORa, wherein Ra is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyl or aryl; -C(O)Rb, wherein Rb is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aryloxy, arylamino, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic or trifluoromethyl; -CO 2 Rc, wherein Rc is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aryl; -SRa, -S(O)Ra, S(0) 2

R

a or -S(0) 2 NHRa, wherein each Ra is as defined above, and the like.

As employed herein, "heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety" refers to cyclic 6- or 7membered ring-containing) groups containing one or more heteroatoms N, O, S, or the like) as part of the ring structure, and having in the range of 1 up to about 14 carbon atoms; and "substituted heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety" refers to heterocyclic groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above. Examples of heteroatom-containing cyclic moieties include furans, thiophenes, pyrroles, pyrazoles, diazoles, triazoles, tetrazoles, dithioles, oxathioles, oxazoles, isoxazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, oxadiazoles, oxatriazoles, dioxazoles, oxathiazoles, pyrans, pyrones, dioxins, pyridines, pyrimidines, pyrazines, pyridazines, piperazines, diazines, triazines, oxazines, isoxazines, oxathiazines, oxadiazines, morpholines, azepins, oxepins, thiopins, diazepins, benzothiazoles, thiazolidinediones, and the like.

Although the present invention is drawn broadly to the treatment of disease states associated with neoplastic cell proliferation, the treatment of liposarcomas is not contemplated by the abovedescribed method of treatment when I is a thiazolidinedionyl moiety.

It is presently preferred that Z be selected from heteroatom-containing cyclic moieties, with .:..polyheteroatom containing cyclic moieties being especially preferred. Those of skill in the art can readily identify numerous groups which fall within the definition of "heteroatom-containing cyclic moieties", as set forth herein. Especially preferred are polyheteroatom-containing cyclic moieties, eg., pyrazoles, diazoles, triazoles, tetrazoles, dithioles, oxathioles, oxazoles, isoxazoles, thiazoles, isothiazoles, oxadiazoles, oxatriazoles, dioxazoles, oxathiazoles, pyridazines, piperazines, diazines, triazines, oxazines, isoxazines, oxathiazines, oxadiazines, morpholines, diazepins, thiazolidinediones, and the like.

Especially preferred compounds employed in the practice of the present invention are those 35 wherein "Ri" of Formula I is: -Yn-(CH 2 wherein: Y is or n is 0 or 1, x falls in the range of 2 up to 12; and Z is a triazolyl moiety, a tetrazolyl moiety, an oxadiazolyl moiety, an oxatriazolyl moiety, ,a dioxazolyl moiety, an oxathiazolyl moiety, a triazinyl moiety, an isoxazinyl moiety, an oxathiazinyl moiety, an oxadiazinyl moiety, a thiazolidinedionyl moiety, and the like.

Presently preferred species of Ri include -0-(CH2)4-[tetrazolinyl moieties] and -O-(CH 2 )ythiazolidene-dionyl moieties (wherein y falls in the range of about 2 up to 8).

C06849 In another preferred aspect of the present invention, "R 2 of Formula I is methyl-, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, and the like.

In yet another preferred aspect of the present invention, "R3" of Formula I is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, and the like.

In still another preferred aspect of the present invention, "R 4 of Formula I is formyl, acyl, a thiazolidenedionyl moiety, and the like.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, "Rs" of Formula I is hydrogen.

In a still further preferred aspect of the present invention, "R6" of Formula I is hydrogen.

In yet another preferred aspect of the present invention, at least one of R 2

R

3

R

4 Rs and R 6 (in addition to Ri) is not hydrogen. It is especially preferred that at least two of R 2

R

3

R

4 Rs and Re (in addition to Ri) are not hydrogen. A plurality of substituents on the ring of structure I is especially preferred when x, m or the sum of with reference to the backbone of R 1 is less than or equal to 6.

Presently preferred species contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention include compounds wherein: R 1 is -O-(CH2)4-[tetrazolinyl moiety] or -O-(CH2)-thiazolidenedionyl moiety, wherein y falls in the range of about 2 up to 8, R 2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, R 3 is hydroxy or alkoxy, R 4 is acyl or a thiazolidenedionyl moiety; and R 5 and Re are each hydrogen.

The above-described compounds can be readily prepared using a variety of synthetic methods, as are well known by those of skill in the art. For example, many of the above-described compounds can be prepared chemically or enzymatically.

Exemplary PPARy activators contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention also include PPAR-y-selective prostaglandins or prostaglandin-like compounds. Such prostaglandins include members of the prostaglandin-J2 family of compounds prostaglandin-J2, A 12 prostaglandin-J2 or 15-deoxy-A 12 1 4 -prostaglandin-J2), members of the prostaglandin-D2 family of 25 compounds prostaglandin-D2), or precursors thereof, as well as compounds having the structure I1: **x A A P

Q

0

(II)

wherein: A is selected from hydrogen or a leaving group at the a- or p-position of the ring, or A is absent when there is a double bond between C and CO of the ring; X is an alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl or substituted alkynyl group having in the range of 2 up to carbon atoms; and Q is an alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl or substituted alkynyl group having in the range of 2 up to 15 carbon atoms.

As employed herein, the term "leaving group" refers to functional groups which can readily be removed from the precursor compound, for example, by nucleophilic displacement, under E 2 35 elimination conditions, and the like. Examples include hydroxy groups, alkoxy groups, tosylates, brosylates, halogens, and the like.

C06849 As employed herein, "cycloalkyl" refers to cyclic ring-containing groups containing in the range of about 3 up to 8 carbon atoms, and "substituted cycloalkyl" refers to cycloalkyl groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

As employed herein, "heterocyclic" refers to cyclic ring-containing) groups containing one or more heteroatoms N, O, S, or the like) as part of the ring structure, and having in the range of S3 up to 14 carbon atoms and "substituted heterocyclic" refers to heterocyclic groups further bearing one or more substituents as set forth above.

In a presently preferred aspect of the present invention, of Formula II is selected from: (CRR)m-Z', or wherein: each R is independently H, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, thioalkyl, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, amino, carboxyl, carbamate, sulfonyl or sulfonamide, m falls in the range of 1 up to 15, each m' falls independently in the range of 0 up to 12, with the proviso that the total chain length of the alkenyl moiety does not exceed 15 carbon atoms, each m" falls independently in the range of 0 up to 12, with the proviso that the total chain length of the alkynyl moiety does not exceed 15 carbon atoms, and Z' is a polar, heteroatom-containing substituent.

Those of skill in the art can readily identify numerous groups which satisfy the requirement that Z' be a polar, heteroatom-containing O, N, S, or the like) substituent. Thus, Z' can be selected.

from cyano, nitro, amino, carbamate, or a substituent having the structure: -CH 2 0R', wherein R' is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyl, aryl, or the like; wherein R" is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aryloxy, arylamino, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic or trifluoromethyl, -CO 2 wherein is selected from H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or the like; -S(0)2R' or -S(0) 2 NHR', wherein each R' is as defined above, and the like.

Especially preferred compounds employed in the practice of the present invention are those wherein of Formula II is: wherein: each R is independently selected from H, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy (of a lower alkyl group), halogen, trifluoromethyl, amino, carboxyl or sulfonyl, m falls in the range of 1 up to 6, and Z' is selected from CH20H, -CH20Ac, -CO 2 H, -CO2Me or -CO 2 Et.

In another preferred aspect of the present invention, of Formula II is selected from: (III), (IIIA), or wherein each R is independently as defined above, each R' is independently H, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl or a leaving group, Z" is H, lower alkyl or substituted lower alkyl, n falls in the range of 0 up to 4, n' falls in the range of 2 up to 12, and n" falls in the range of 1 up to 3.

35 Especially preferred compounds contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention include those wherein of Formula II is selected from: (III), CRR-CR(R')-(CRR)n--Z" or wherein each R and each R' is independently as defined above, Z" is H, lower alkyl or substituted lower alkyl, and n' falls in the range of 1 up to 6.

C06849 Presently most preferred compounds for use in the practice of the present invention include those wherein VQ of Formula 11 is: (Ill), wherein each R is H, lower alkyl or substituted lower alkyl, n is 1, n' falls in the range of about 2 up to 6, and Z" is H or lower alkyl; or compounds wherein of Formula 11 is: (IV) or (CRR)n--Z" wherein each R is H, lower alkyl or substituted lower alkyl, R' is H, lower alkyl, or a hydroxy group, n is 1, n' falls in the range of about 2 up to 6, and Z' is H or lower alkyl.

Referring to the structural formulae set forth above, prostaglandin-D2 (Pg-D2) is described by Formula 11 (as set forth above), wherein A is 9-OH, Q is V. each R is hydrogen, R' is hydroxy, Z' is

CO

2 H, m is 3, Z" is methyl, n is 1 and n' is 4; prostag land in-J 2 (Pg-J2) is described by Formula 11, lo wherein A is absent, Q is V, each R is hydrogen, R' is hydroxy, Z is -CO 2 H, m is 3, Z" is methyl, n is 1 and n' is 4; Al 2 -prostag land in-J2 (A1 2 -Pg-J2) is described by Formula 11, wherein A is absent, 0 is IV, each R is hydrogen, R' is hydroxy, Z is -CO 2 H, m is 3, Z" is methyl, n is 1 and n' is 4; 15-deoxy-A 2 ,1 4 prostaglandin J 2 (15-deoxy-A1 2 4 -Pg-J2) is described by Formula 11, wherein A is absent, Q is 11, each R is hydrogen, Z' is -CO 2 H, in is 3, Z" is methyl, n is 1 and n' is 4.

The above-described compounds can be readily prepared using a variety of synthetic methods, as are well known by those of skill in the art. For example, many of the above-described compounds can be prepared chemically or enzymatically, from the naturally occurring precursor, arachidonic acid.

RXR selective ligands contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention include substituted benzoic acids or derivatives thereof substituted benzoates) substituted nicotinic 2o acids or derivatives thereof substituted nicotinates), substituted carboxylated furans, and the like.

Exemplary agonists contemplated for use herein include 4-f 1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)ethenyl] benzoic acid, 1,3-propylene glycol ketal of tetramethyl-5,6,7,8tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)ethenyl] benzoic acid, methyl 4-f (3,8,8-trimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2- ~.yI)carbonyl] benzoate, methyl 4-f(3,5,5-trimethyl5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)carbonyI~benzoate, 25 methyl 4-1(1,1 ,2,3,3,6-hexamethylindan-5-yI)carbonyl]benzoate, methyl 6-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl- 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yI) carbonyl] nicotinate, methyl 4-fl -(3,8,8-trimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro- :2-naphthalen-2-yl)ethenyl]benzoate, methyl 4-fl -(3,5,5-trimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2yl)ethenyl]benzoate, methyl 4-fl ,2,3,3,6-hexamethylindan-5-yl) ethenyl] benzoate, methyl 6-fl (3,5,5,8,8-pentanethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethenyllnicotinate, 4-fl -(3,8,8-trimethy- 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethenyl] benzoic acid, 4[1-(3,5,5-trimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2naphthalen-2-yl)ethenyllbenzoic acid, 4-f 1-(1 ,1 ,2,3,3,6-hexamethylindan-5-yl)ethenyl] benzoic acid, 6- [1 -(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethenyl] nicotinic acid, methyl 4-fl methyl-i -(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethylI benzoate, 4-[2-methyl-1 ~~~(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen2-yl)ethyl] benzoic acid, 4-lmeh-i(3558pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethyl] benzoic acid, 4-fl -(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethy- *5,6,7,8-tetetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethyl]benzoic acid, methyl 4-fl-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8- *.rhdoahhae--lccopoy~ezae mehl..-3,,,,-etmehl567 tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)yoroyl] benzoate, methyl 4-f 2-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)coryl b notiate, mehy -fl-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8- 4tetrahydronaphthalen2-yl)cyclopropyl bnicia, 4-fl -(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8- C06849 tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)oxiranyl]benzoic acid, 6-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)cyclopropyl] nicotinic acid (also referred to in the art as "LG268"), 3,5,5,8,8pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-ol, methyl 4-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentametnyl-5,6,7,8tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)methyl]benzoate, methyl 4-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)oxy] benzoate, 4-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2yl)methyl]benzoic acid, 4-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)oxy] benzoic acid, methyl 2-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)carbonyl] benzoate, methyl 3- 1(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)carbonyl]benzoate, pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)carbonyl]benzoic acid, 3-[(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl- 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)carbonyl] benzoic acid, the carboxylated furan derivative referred to as AGN191701 (see Mol. and Cell. Biol. 15:3540-3551 (1995)), and the like.

Presently preferred RXR selective agonists contemplated for use herein include pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)cyclopropyl] nicotinic acid (LG268) and pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethenyl] benzoic acid.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there are provided methods for modulating growth of neoplastic cells, wherein said growth is mediated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-y), said method comprising contacting said cells with a composition effective to modulate said growth, wherein said composition comprises at least one PPAR-y activator in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier there for.

As employed herein, the term "modulate" refers to the ability of a modulator for PPARy to either directly (by binding to the receptor as a ligand) or indirectly (as a precursor for a ligand or an inducer which promotes production of ligand from a precursor) induce expression of gene(s) maintained under hormone expression control, or to repress expression of gene(s) maintained under such control.

As employed herein, the phrase "processes mediated by PPARy" refers to biological, i: 25 physiological, endocrinological, and other bodily processes which are mediated by receptor or receptor combinations which are responsive to the PPAR-y agonists described herein cell differentiation to produce lipid-accumulating cells, to induce cell differentiation in a variety of other cell types, and the like) Modulation of such processes can be accomplished in vitro or in vivo. In vivo modulation can be carried out in a wide range of mammalian subjects, such as, for example, humans, 30 rodents, sheep, pigs, cows, and the like.

As employed herein, the phrase "amount effective to modulate" refers to levels of compound (or composition)sufficient to provide circulating concentrations high enough to accomplish the desired effect. Such a concentration typically falls in the range of about 10nM up to 2JM; with concentrations in the range of about 100nM up to 500nM being preferred. As noted previously, since the activity of different compounds which fall within the definition of structures I and II as set forth above may vary considerably, and since individual subjects may present a wide variation in severity of symptoms, it is up to the practitioner to determine a subject's response to treatment and vary the dosages accordingly.

PPAR-y-selective agonists (optionally in combination with RXR selective agonists) contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention can be employed for both in vitro and in C06849 vivo applications. For in vivo applications, the above-described compounds can be incorporated into a pharmaceutically acceptable formulation for administration. Those of skill in the art can readily determine suitable dosage levels when compounds contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention are so used.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there are provided compositions comprising at least one PPAR-y-selective activator (as described herein), and at least one retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Exemplary pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include carriers suitable for oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intracutaneous, and the like administration. Administration in the form of creams, lotions, tablets, dispersible powders, granules, syrups, elixirs, sterile aqueous or nonaqueous solutions, suspensions or emulsions, and the like, is contemplated.

For the preparation of oral liquids, suitable carriers include emulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and the like, optionally containing additives such as wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavouring and perfuming agents, and the like.

For the preparation of fluids for parenteral administration, suitable carriers include sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, or emulsions.

Examples of non-aqueous solvents or vehicles are propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils, such as olive oil and corn oil, gelatin, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate. Such dosage forms may also contain adjuvants such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying, and dispersing agents. They may be sterilised, for example, by filtration through a bacteria-retaining filter, by incorporating sterilising agents into the compositions, by irradiating the compositions, or by heating the compositions. They can also be manufactured in the form of sterile water, or some other sterile injectable medium immediately before use.

Recent years have seen important advances in the understanding of the molecular basis of 25 adipocyte differentiation. Central to this process is the induction of the adipocyte-selective nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR). This receptor and its .i heterodimeric partner, the retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRCo), form a DNA binding complex that regulates transcription of adipocyte-specific genes.

Expression and activation of PPARy in fibroblastic cells triggers the adipocyte gene expression cascade and leads to development of the adipose phenotype.

PPARy is expressed at high levels in the adipose tissues of mouse and rat (see, for example, Tontonoz et al., in Genes Dev. 8:1224-1234 (1994) and Braissant et al., in Endocrinology 117:354- 366(19%)). To determine the tissue distribution of this receptor in humans, Northern analysis of RNA prepared from a variety of human tissues was performed. Human PPAR is seen to be expressed at highest levels in adipose tissue and at lower levels in several other tissues including lung and kidney.

As a control, the blot was also hybridised with cDNA for the adipocyte-specific binding protein aP2.

The heart and muscle samples can be seen to contain small amounts of aP2 mRNA, suggesting that these tissues also contain some adipose cells.

Tumourigenesis frequently involves the inactivation or downregulation of genes responsible for initiating and maintaining a differentiated phenotype. As PPARy appears to play a central role in the C06849 11 adipocyte differentiation process, the expression of this receptor was examined in a series of human liposarcomas. This series included RNA prepared from each of the three major histologic subtypes of liposarcoma; well differentiated/dedifferentiated, myxoid/round cell and pleomorphic. The histologic and cytogenetic characteristics of each tumour is given in Table 5 (see Example For the most part, the well differentiated/dedifferentiated tumours exhibited ring chromosomes and giant marker chromosomes, the myxoid/round cell liposarcomas exhibited the characteristic t(12;16) (13pll) translocation, and the pleomorphic forms exhibited complex rearrangements. Surprisingly, despite their block in differentiation, each liposarcoma examined was found to express high levels of PPARy RNA, comparable to that of normal fat. These results suggest that most if not all liposarcomas have been transformed at a point in the differentiation process after induction of PPARy expression. In contrast, PPARy RNA was not expressed at significant levels in any other type of soft tissue sarcoma examined, including leiomyosarcoma fibrosarcoma angiosarcoma malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNS, or malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH, Thus, PPARy may be a sensitive marker for distinguishing liposarcoma from other histologic types of soft tissue sarcoma.

Transient transfection experiments were performed to characterise the activation profile of human PPARy. To eliminate interference from endogenous receptor in the transfected cells, a chimeric PPARy receptor was utilised that could activate transcription through a heterologous response element (see Forman et al., in Cell 83:803-812 (1995)). This chimeric protein contained the yeast GAL4 DNA binding domain linked to the ligand binding domain of human PPARy. The GAL4hPPARy expression vector was cotransfected into CV-1 cells with a luciferase reporter plasmid containing the GAL4 upstream activating sequence. In this assay, the thiazolidinediones BRL49653, troglitazone and pioglitazone are all seen to be effective activators of human PPARy.

S. Liposarcomas have presumably acquired one or more genetic defects that interfere with the 25 course of normal adipocyte development. The observation that PPARy is expressed consistently in these tumours raised the possibility that the malignant cells might be forced to complete the differentiation program by maximally activating the PPARy pathway. To address this possibility, :i primary cells isolated from three human liposarcomas were cultured in vitro. Primary cell strains LS857 and LS175 were derived from well differentiated liposarcomas and LS707 was derived from an 30 intermediate grade myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (see Table High grade pleomorphic liposarcoma *'cells could not be expanded to sufficient numbers to permit studies of differentiation. A primary leiomyosarcoma cell line LM203 was cultured as a control. To confirm that these cultures consisted of malignant tumour-derived cells, cytogenetic analysis was performed. As shown in Table 3, the karyotype of the cells in each culture was characteristic of the parent liposarcoma.

When cultured in the presence of foetal bovine serum and insulin, conditions permissive for adipocyte differentiation, all three cell lines maintain a fibroblastic morphology. L5175 cells contained small amounts of stainable lipid under these conditions. When cultures were treated for 7 days with of the PPARy ligand pioglitazone, the cells readily accumulated lipid and adopted a morphology characteristic of mature culture adipocytes. No lipid accumulation was observed with the LM203 leiomyosarcoma cells, which do not express PPARy. The degree of morphologically recognisable C06849 differentiation varied from 40% in the LS857 cells to 75% in the L5175 cells. After induction for 7 days with thiazolidinedione, cells maintained their differentiated morphology even when pioglitazone was withdrawn. This experiment was performed at least twice with each cell strain with quantitatively and qualitatively similar results.. Induction of differentiation was also observed with the thiazolidinediones BRL49653 and troglitazone, while no effect was observed with compound 66, the inactive synthetic precursor to BRL49653.

Simultaneous exposure of competent cells to both PPARy and RXR-specific ligand was investigated to determine if such combination might provide a stronger adipogenic signal than a PPARy ligand alone. The ability of the RXR-specific ligand LG268 to promote adipocyte differentiation was investigated using NIH-3T3 fibroblasts that express PPARy from a retroviral vector (see Tontonoz et al, in Cell 79:1147-1156 (1994)). It has previously been shown that wild-type NIH-3T3 cells express RXRa but not PPARy. NIH-vector and NIH-PPARy cells were cultured as described in the Examples.

At confluence, cells were treated for 7 days with no activator, 1piM pioglitazone alone, 50nM LG268 alone, or 5|!M thiazolidinedione and 50nM LG268. After an additional four days of culture, cells were fixed and stained with oil red 0. Data are presented in Table 1 as the range of morphologically recognisable differentiation observed for each line over three separate experiments.

Table 1 lipid containing cells cell line no activator +pioglitazone +LG268 +pioglitazone+LG268 NIH 0 0 0 <1 NIH-PPARy 2-5 60-70 50-65 As shown in Table 1, treatment of confluent NIH-PPARy cells for 7 days with 50nM LG268 resulted in significant stimulation of adipocyte differentiation, comparable to that seen with 7 days of treatment with lpM pioglitazone alone. Thus simultaneous exposure to both activators resulted in an additive effect. LG268 had no effect on NIH-vector cells, indicating that the adipogenic activity of this compound, like that of pioglitazone, is dependent on the presence of PPARy Similar results are S. obtained with the preadipocyte cell lines 3T3-L1 and 3T3-F442A, which express both PPARy and RXRa. Northern analysis confirms that pioglitazone and LG268 have an additive effect on the induction of the adipocyte-specific genes aP2 and adipsin in NIH-PPARy cells. No induction of adipocyte gene expression was observed in NIH-vector cells under similar conditions.

The ability of LG268 to promote differentiation of human liposarcoma cells was then examined.

Treatment of L5857 cells for 7 days with 50nM LG268 led to a significant degree of adipocyte 0 differentiation, similar to that seen with 10iM pioglitazone alone. When L5857 cells were treated simultaneously with LG268 and a thiazolidinedione (either pioglitazone or BRL449653), an additive effect on differentiation was observed. To further characterise the effects of PPARy and RXR ligands on liposarcoma cells, the expression of adipocyte-specific markers were examined by Northern blotting. L5857 cells, like the tumour from which they were derived, express PPARy mRNA. Treatment of L5857 cells with pioglitazone leads to the induction of two markers of terminal adipocyte differentiation, the mRNAs encoding aP2 and adipsin. Simultaneous treatment with pioglitazone and LG268 results in an additive induction of adipocyte gene expression. In summary, treatment of L5857 C06849 13 cells with thiazolidinediones and RXR-specific retinoids leads to changes in morphology and gene expression consistent with terminal adipocyte differentiation.

Terminal differentiation of white adipocytes in vitro and in vivo is characterised by permanent withdrawal from the cell cycle. A critical question is whether thiazolidinedione-induced differentiation of liposarcoma cells is accompanied by growth arrest. To address this issue, L5857 cells were cultured in the presence or absence of pioglitazone. Following induction of morphologic differentiation, pioglitazone was withdrawn. After 48 hours of continued culture in the absence of pioglitazone, cells were labelled for 48 hours with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). Cells undergoing DNA synthesis during the labelling period should stain positive for BrdU incorporation after fixation and incubation with an enzyme-linked monoclonal antibody (see Examples).

LS857 cells were cultured in the presence or absence of pioglitazone. Following induction of morphologic differentiation, pioglitazone was withdrawn. After 48 hours of continued culture in the absence of pioglitazone, cells were labelled for 48 hours with bromodeoxyuridine, stained using an enzyme-linked monoclonal antibody (see Examples) arid visualised microscopically. The number of cells staining positive for BrdU and/or containing visible cytaplasmic lipid is indicated in Table 2.

Table 2 Experiment #cells counter #lipid #ipid+/BrdU+(%) control 500 232(46) 0 NA PIO/LG #1 510 173(34) 204(40) 22(4) PIO/LG #2 595 156(26) 233(51) 17(3) In the experiments shown in Table 2 (PIO/LG268#1 and PIO/LG268#2), 26-34% of the cells contained visible cytoplasmic lipid. 40-51% of the cells in this culture stained positive for BrdU incorporation by light microscopy; however, of those cells containing lipid, only 3-4% stain positive for BrdU. When differentiated cultures were trypsinised and replated, lipid-containing cells failed to reenter the cell cycle as determined by BrdU labelling. These results demonstrate the thiazolidinedione-induced differentiation of LS857 cells leads to cell cycle withdrawal.

Termination differentiation of most specialised cell types, including white adipocytes, is linked to S. cell cycle withdrawal. Tumourigenesis is characterised by a loss of cell cycle control and a 25 concordant block in the differentiation program. It has been demonstrated herein that most human liposarcomas express high levels of the adipocyte regulatory complex PPARy/RXRa and that PPARy and RXRa-specific ligands are able to trigger terminal differentiation of primary human liposarcoma cells in vitro. These results suggest that the developmental defect in most liposarcomas is downstream of PPARy expression, and that in at least some tumour cells this developmental block can be overcome by maximal activation of the PPARy pathway.

While the precise nature of the developmental defects in liposarcoma is not yet clear, it is likely these defects ultimately lead to the inactivation or antagonism of one or more adipocyte transcriptional regulatory proteins. Members of both the C/EBP and PPAR transcription factor families have been shown to play central complementary roles in adipogenesis in murine models (see, for example, Cornelius et al., in Ann. Rev. Nutr. 14:771-774 (1994), Tontonoz et al., in Curr. Opin. Genet. Dev.

5:571-576 (1995), Freytag et al., in Genes Dev. 8:1654-1663 (1994), Wu et al., in Genes Dev. 9:2350- C06849 2363 (1995) and Yeh et al., in Genes Dev 9:168-181 (1995)). Interestingly, the C/EBP family has previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of human myxoid liposarcoma through the characterisation of the t(12:16) translocation associated with this tumour. This rearrangement fuses the gene for the C/EBP family member CHOP on chromosome 12 to that of the RNA binding protein TLS on chromosome 16 (see Crozat et al., in Nature 363:640-644 (1993)). CHOP lacks a transcriptional activation domain and has therefore been postulated to function as a dominant negative regulator of other C/EBP proteins. The precise mechanism whereby TLS/CHOP contributes to differentiation arrest and tumourigenesis, however, remains to be elucidated.

The mechanisms by which differentiation is coupled to cessation of cell growth are not fully understood; however, there is mounting evidence that key proteins controlling differentiation interact directly with the cell cycle machinery. For example, the myogenic transcription factor MyoD has been shown to be negatively regulated by cyclin D1-dependent kinase and to induce expression of the cdk inhibitor p21 (see, for example, Halevy et al., in Science 267:1018-1021 (1995) and Skapek et al., in Science 267:1022-1024 (1995)).

1i The impact of RXR-specific activators on adipocyte differentiation has not previously been addressed. It is demonstrated herein that RXR-specific retinoids can function as adipogenic regulators through activation of the PPARy/RXRa heterodimer, and that the adipogenic activity of the heterodimer is maximal when both receptors are bound by their respective ligands.

Given that PPARy is likely to be the biologic receptor mediating the insulin-sensitising effects of the thiazolidinediones, this observation suggests that RXR-specific ligands may also have insulinsensitising activity in vivo. Moreover, the insulin-sensitising effects of thiazolidinedione ligands for PPARy might be enhanced by simultaneous administration of an RXR-specific ligand.

The results presented herein have important implications for the pharmacologic management of liposarcoma in humans. Liposarcoma is currently managed with surgery and a judicious combination 25 of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Despite conventional multimodality therapy, anywhere from 25 to 75% of patients with advanced liposarcoma will die from their disease within 5 years. The present results suggest that a combination of the thiazolidinedione class of antidiabetic drugs and RXRspecific retinoids may be useful as a non-toxic alternative to conventional chemotherapy for the treatment of disseminated or locally advanced liposarcoma. Members of the thiazolidinedione class of 30 drugs have undergone extensive preclinical testing as anti-diabetic agents. Troglitazone is currently is phase three clinical trials in the US. and studies have supported its usefulness in NIDDM (see Nolan et al., in N. Engl. J. Med. 3.31:1188-1193 (1994)). Other thiazolidinediones have been approved for clinical use in Japan. Although certain thiazolidinediones have been associated with some degree of toxicity in long-term use as insulin sensitising agents, this should not preclude their use as antineoplastic agents as conventional chemotherapy is associated with far greater toxicity. The ability of a combination of thiazolidinediones and RXR-specific retinoids to induce differentiation of liposarcoma cells in vitro strongly suggests that these compounds may also be able to stimulate differentiation and growth arrest of human tumours in vivo.

The invention will now be described in greater detail by reference to the following non-limiting examples.

C06849 Example 1 Growth of HL-60 Cells in the Presence of Various Ligands cells were plated at a density of 2x10 5 cells/mL and were treated with: 100nM 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis RA; which is both PAR and RXR active), 100nM LG268 (which is RXR selective), 31M prostaglandin J2 (PG-J2; which is PPARy active), or a combination of 100nM of LG268 and 3iM of PG-J2.

Cell numbers were determined after 3, 5 or 7 days of culture, as illustrated in Figure 1.

The results show that 9-cis PA alone, and PG-J2 alone each inhibit cell growth, while LG268 alone has only a marginal ability to promote cell differentiation. The combination of PG-J2 and LG268, however, shows an enhanced ability to inhibit cell growth.

Example 2 Cell Cycle Analysis of HL-60 Cells When Grown in the Presence of Various Ligands cells were plated at a density of 2x10 5 cells/mL and were treated with: 100nM 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis PA; which is both PAR and RXR active, 100nM LG268 (which is RXR selective), 3 p M prostaglandin J2 (PG-J2; which is PPARy active), or a combination of 100nM of LG268 and 3pM of PG-J2.

Cell cycle analysis was carried out on day 3 using standard DNA content determination by flow cytometry. Results are presented graphically in Figure 2, and summarised in Table 3.

Table 3 Cell Cycle Phase, Sample G1 S G2 Control 58.7 30.1 11.2 9-cis PA 70.5 19.2 10.2 LG268 54.5 31.1 14.4 PG-J2 65.9 22.6 11.5 LG268 PG-J2 76.9 15.1 The results show that treatment with either 9-cis PA induction of the RARa pathway) or PG-J2 induction of the PPARy pathway) inhibits cell cycle progression and leads to the accumulation of cells in G1. Treatment of HL-60 cells with the combination of LG268 and PG-J2 25 produces a synergistic effect, whereby an increased number of cells accumulate in G1.

Example 3 Synergistic Induction of Differentiation in HL-60 and THP-1 Leukemia Cells When Treated With Ligands for PPARy and RXRa and THP-1 leukemia cells were seeded at a density of 2x10 5 cells/mL and cultured in 30 RPMI containing 10% charcoal-stripped foetal calf serum. Cells were treated with either vehicle alone, or 10nM AM580, 100nM LG268, or 3gM 15-deoxy-A 12,14-prostaglandin-J2. After 5 days, cells were incubated with monoclonal antibody to the monocyte-specific differentiation antigen CD14, and °o eoo° o *oo C06849 16 analysed by flow cytometry using a Becton Dickinson FACScan. Median fluorescence values for each culture are presented in Table 4.

Table 4 Sample median fluorescence A. HL-60 cells control 24 AM580 26 LG268 138 PG-J2 47 LG268/PG-J2 274 B. THP-1 cells control 13 LG268 18 PG-J2 16 LG268/PG-J2 58 Inspection of the data presented in Table 4 reveals that the combination of a PPARy agonist PG-J2) and an RXR agonist LG268) dramatically increases the proportion of HL-60 and THP-1 cells which respond to a differentiation marker.

Example 4 Tissue samples and cytogenetics Normal human tissues, liposarcomas and other soft tissue sarcomas were obtained from surgical cases at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston. All tissue samples were taken from homogeneous and viable portions of:the resected sample by the pathologist and frozen within minutes of excision. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of each soft tissue sarcoma were reviewed by a single pathologist and classified according to histologic type, grade, mitotic activity and surgical margin. Histologic classification was based solely on morphologic patters recognition using conventional diagnostic criteria. Mitotic activity counts were performed with high power field size of 0.120mm 2 and at least 50 high power fields were counted from the most cellular areas of the tumour, for cytogenetic analysis tumours were dissagregated with collagenase and harvested after 3-7 days of culture in T25 flasks (see Fletcher et al., in N. Eng. J. Med. 324:436-443 (1991)). Metaphase cells were analysed by trypsin-Giemsa (see Seabright in Lancet 2:971-972 20 (1971)) and quinacrine mustard banding (see Fletcher et al., in Am. J. Pathol. 138:515 (1991)).

Example Northern analysis Total RNA was prepared from tumours and normal human tissues by guanidium isothiocyanate extraction and CsCI centrifugation. RNA was electrophoresed through formaldehyde-agarose gels, blotted to BioTrans nylon membranes (ICN) and hybridised as directed by the manufacturer. cDNA probes were labelled with [a- 3 2 P]-dCTP by the random priming method to a specific activity of at least 109 cpm/pg.

To determine expression of PPARy mRNA in human liposarcomas and other soft tissue sarcomas, total TNA (15jig per lane) was isolated from human tumours, electrophoresed through a formaldehyde-containing agarose gel, blotted to nylon and hybridised with 3 2 P-labelled hPPARy cDNA C06849 as described above. Equivalent amounts of intact RNA were run in each lane as indicated by ethidium bromide staining of the membrane after transfer and hybridisation to a 36B4 cDNA probe. The histologic and cytogenetic characteristics of each tumour analysed are summarised in Table Table Tumour Histology Cytoqenetics Mitotic Index ICell Culture 107SP well differentiated liposarcoma 47-48,XX,+1-2mars 0.2 NA 115SP high grade myxoid/ round cell liposarcoma 80-91,XXXX, 6.0 NA t(12;16)(q13;p11)x2 116SP high grade liposarcoma with pleomorphic, ND 19.8 NA myxoid, well differentiated areas 200SP high grade liposarcoma, mixed pleomorphic and ND 7.2 NA round cell 203SP well differentiated liposarcoma 48-50,XY,del(16)(q36), ND LS175 +2-4 r 204SP well differentiated liposarcoma 48,XX,add(7)(136), ND LS857 del(11)(p13),+2 mars P144 well differentiated liposarcoma 48,XX,+2r 0 NA P147 well differentiated liposarcoma lipoma-like, 46-49,XX,add(9)(q34), 0 NA sclerosing +1-2r,+1-2mars P154 atypical lipoma/well differentiated liposarcoma ND 0 NA P155 intermediate grade liposarcoma myxoid>round46,XY,t(12;16)(q13;p11) 1.0 LS707 cell component P156 intermediate grade liposarcoma round 49XY,+del(1)(p32),+2,+8, 1.0 NA cell>myxoid component t(1216)(q 13;pl 1) P158 well differentiated liposarcoma ND 0 NA P160 well differentiated liposarcoma with 43-49,XX,add(1)(q43), 1.1 NA dedifferentiated areas 11,-13,-13,+1-3r PPARy is observed to be expressed in multiple histologic types of human PPARy is not expressed in other human soft tissue sarcomas.

liposarcoma, while Example 6 Cell culture Primary liposarcoma cells were isolated from selected freshly harvested tumours as described previously (see Sreekantaiah et al., in Am. J. Pathol. 144:1121-1134 (1994) and Fletcher et al., in Am.

J. Pathol. 138:515 (1991), as well as references cited therein. Primary cells were plated at a density of at least 2 x 105 cells/mL and cultured in 60mm dishes in RPMI containing 15% Cosmic Calf Serum (Hyclone), 20pg/mL bovine pituitary extract (Collaborative Research) and 5pg/mL insulin.

PPARy- and RXR-specific ligands induce expression of markers of terminal adipocyte differentiation in PPARy-expressing fibroblasts and human liposarcoma cells. NIH-vector, NIH-PPARy and LS857 cells were cultured as described above. At confluence cells were treated for 7 days with no activator, pioglitazone alone, LG268 alone, or pioglitazone and LG268 as indicated. Total RNA per lane) was isolated from, electrophoresed through a formaldehyde-containing agarose gels, blotted to nylon and hybridised with 3 2 P-labelled human or murine PPARy, human or murine aP2, and human or murine adipsin cDNA using standard techniques. Equivalent amounts of intact RNA was run in each lane as indicated by ethidium bromide staining of the membrane after transfer and hybridisation to a 36B4 cDNA probe.

C06849 18 In order to evaluate the induction of differentiation in human liposarcoma cells by thiazolidinediones and RXR-specific retinoids, LS857 cells were cultured as described above. At confluence, cells were treated for 7 days with no activator, 5[pM thiazolidinedione (BRL 49653) or pioglitazone), 50nM LG268, or 5pM thiazolidinedione and 50nM LG268 as indicated. After an additional four days of culture, cells were fixed and stained with oil red 0. Macroscopic view of the culture dishes shows that thiazolidinedione alone or LG268 alone stimulate significant lipid accumulation, while simultaneous addition of both thiazolidinedione and LG268 has at least an additive effect on lipid accumulation, stimulating substantially higher levels of lipid accumulation than either agent alone.

Example 7 Transfection assays The GAL4-hPPARy expression vector was generously provided by V.K.K. Chaterjee. This construct contains residues 1-147 of GAL4 fused to residues 173-475 of hPPARy and is driven by the early promoter (see Greene et al., in Gene Express. 4:281-299 (1995)). CV-1 cells were is cultured in DMEM containing 10% resin-charcoal-stripped calf serum. Transfections were performed in phenol free DMEM containing 10% resin-charcoal-stripped foetal calf serum by the lipofection method using DOTAP (Boehringer Mannheim) according to the manufacturer's instructions. After 2 hours, liposomes were removed and cells were cultured for an additional 40 hours in the presence or absence of thiazolidinediones as indicated. Luciferase and P-galactosidase assays were carried out as described previously (see Forman et al., in Cell 83:803-812 (1995)).

An SV40-GAL4/hPPARy expression vector (100ng/10 5 cells) was cotransfected into CV-1 cells with a UASGX4 TK-LUC reporter plasmid (300ng/1 05 cells) and a CMX-pGAL internal control plasmic (500ng/105 cells) as described above. Following transfection cells were treated with indicated concentrations of Pioglitazone (Upjohn), troglitazone (Parke Davis-Warner Lambert), BRL49653 (BIOMOL) and LG268 (Ligand Pharmaceuticals) were dissolved in DMSO and applied to cells in a volume of less than 5iL. The NIH-PPARy and NIH-vector cells were derived by retroviral infection as previously described (see Tontonoz et al., in Cell 79:1147-1156 (1994)) and cultured in DMEM containing 10% Cosmic Calf Serum and 5 tg/mL insulin. Differentiated cells were fixed and stained for neutral lipid with oil red 0. BrdU labelling was performed using the 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine 30 Labelling and Detection Kit II (Boehringer Mannheim) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

These experiments demonstrate that thiazolidinediones activate PPARys.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that modifications and variations are within the spirit and scope of that which is described and claimed.

e C06849

Claims (60)

1. A method for treating a subject suffering from a disease state which is the result of neoplastic cell proliferation of cells which express PPAR-y, said method comprising administering to said subject an amount of a therapeutic composition effective to ameliorate the effect of neoplastic cell proliferation on said cells, wherein said therapeutic composition comprises at least one PPAR-y activator in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

2. At least one PPAR-y activator when used in treating a subject suffering from a disease state which is the result of neoplastic cell proliferation of cells which express PPAR-y.

3. Use of at least one PPAR-y activator for the manufacture of a medicament for treating a subject suffering from a disease state which is the result of neoplastic cell proliferation of cells which express PPAR-y.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are cancerous breast cells. A method according to claim 1, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are myelogenous leukemia cells.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are cancerous colon cells. 20 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are cancerous prostate cells.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said PPAR-y activator is a PPAR-y- :selective prostaglandin or prostaglandin like compound or precursor thereof.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said PPAR-y-selective prostaglandin 25 is a prostaglandin-J 2 a prostaglandin-D 2 or a precursor thereof.

10. .A method according to claim 9, wherein said prostaglandin-J 2 is S: a. prostaglandin-J 2 A -prostaglandin-J 2 or 15-deoxy-A 2 '14-prostaglandin-J 2

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said PPAR-y activator has the structure I, wherein structure I is as follows: R3 R,1 -X 3 0 R (I) [I:\DAYLIB\LIBFF]O6849Aspc.doc:gcc wherein: each of X 1 X 2 X 3 X4, X 5 and X 6 is independently carbon, nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, with the proviso that at least three of the atoms forming the ring are carbon, R 1 is alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, poly (alkylene oxide), substituted poly(alkylene oxide), poly(alkylene sulfide), substituted poly(alkylene sulfide), poly(alkylene amine), substituted poly(alkylene amine), -OR, -SR or -NR 2 wherein each R is independently alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, poly(alkylene oxide), substituted poly(alkylene oxide), poly(alkylene sulfide), substituted poly(alkylene sulfide), poly(alkylene amine) or substituted poly(alkylene amine); R 2 is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, oxyalkyl, poly(alkylene oxide) or substituted poly(alkylene oxide); R 3 is hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl or substituted alkynyl; R 4 is hydrogen, 20 formyl, acyl, lower alkyl or substituted lower alkyl; R 5 is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl or halogen; and R 6 is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl or halogen.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein "Ri" of Formula I is: Z, or wherein: Y is -O- or n is 0 or 1, each R" is independently hydrogen, lower alky, substituted lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, thioalkyl, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, amino, carboxyl, carbamate, sulfonyl or sulfonamide, is hydrogen, lower alkyl or substituted alkyl, m falls in the range of 1 up to 15, each m' falls independently in the range of 1 up to 8, each m" falls independently in the range of 0 up to 12, and Z is a heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety, a substituted heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety, cyano, nitro, amino, carbamate, -OR a wherein Ra is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyl or aryl; -C(O)Rb, wherein R R b is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, :\DAYLIB\LIBFF]06849Aspec.doc:gcc 21 substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aryloxy, arylamino, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic or trifluoromethyl; -CO 2 Rc, wherein Rc is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aryl; -SRa, -S(O)Ra, -S(0) 2 Ra or -S(0) 2 NHRa, wherein each Ra is as defined above.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein Z is a polyheteroatom-containing cyclic moiety or a substituted polyheteroatom-containing cyclic moiety.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein Z is a furan, thiophene, pyrrole, pyrazole, diazole, triazole, tetrazole, dithiole, oxathiole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, dioxazole, oxathiazole, pyran, pyrone, dioxin, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, diazine, triazine, oxazine, isoxazine, oxathiazine, oxadiazine, morpholino, azepin, oxepin, thiopin, diazepin, benzothiazole or a thiazolidinedione. Is 15. A method according to claim 12, wherein Z is a pyrazole, diazole, triazole, tetrazole, dithiole, oxathiole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, dioxazole, oxathiazole, pyridazine, piperazine, diazine, triazine, oxazine, isoxazine, oxathiazine, oxadiazine, morpholine, diazepin or a thiazolidinedione.

16. A method according to claim 11, wherein "Ri" of Formula I is: -Yn-(CH 2 )x-Z, 20 wherein: Y is or n is 0 or 1, x falls in the range of 2 up to 12; and Z is a triazolyl moiety, a tetrazolyl moiety, an oxadiazolyl moiety, an oxatriazolyl moiety, a dioxazolyl moiety, an oxathiazolyl moiety, a triazinyl moiety, an isoxazinyl moiety, an oxathiazinyl moiety, an oxadiazinyl moiety, or a thiazolidinedionyl moiety.

17. A method according to any one of claims 5-16, wherein said therapeutic composition further comprises at least one retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist. S: 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is a substituted benzoic acid or derivative thereof, a substituted nicotinic acid or derivative thereof or a substituted carboxylated furan.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is 6-[1 3 ,5,5, 8 8 -pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2- yl)cyclopropyl]nicotinic acid (LG268). A method according to claim 17, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is 4-[1 -(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethy-5, 6 7 8 -tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethenyl] a benzoic acid. [I:\DAYLIB\LIBFF]O6849Aspec.doc:gcc q 1 22

21. An activator according to claim 2, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are cancerous breast cells.

22. An activator according to claim 2, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are myelogenous leukemia cells.

23. An activator according to claim 2, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are cancerous colon cells.

24. An activator according to claim 2, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are cancerous prostate cells. An activator according to claim 2, wherein said PPAR-y activator is a PPAR-y-selective prostaglandin or prostaglandin like compound or precursor thereof.

26. An activator according to claim 25, wherein said PPAR-y-selective prostaglandin is a prostaglandin-J 2 a prostaglandin-D 2 or a precursor thereof.

27. An activator according to claim 26, wherein said prostaglandin-J 2 is prostaglandin-J 2 A2-prostaglandin-J 2 or 15-deoxy-A 12,4-prostaglandin-J 2

28. An activator according to claim 2, wherein said PPAR-y activator has the structure I, wherein structure I is as follows: A A (I) wherein: each of X 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5 and X 6 is independently carbon, nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, with the proviso that at least three of the atoms forming the ring are carbon, R, is alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, poly (alkylene oxide), substituted poly(alkylene oxide), poly(alkylene sulfide), substituted poly(alkylene sulfide), poly(alkylene amine), substituted poly(alkylene amine), -OR, -SR or -NR 2 wherein each R is independently alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, poly(alkylene oxide), substituted poly(alkylene oxide), poly(alkylene sulfide), substituted poly(alkylene sulfide), poly(alkylene amine) or substituted poly(alkylene amine); R 2 is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, I substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, [I:\DAYLIB\LIBFF]O6849Aspec.doc:gcc i p .i 23 substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, oxyalkyl, poly(alkylene oxide) or substituted poly(alkylene oxide); R 3 is hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl or substituted alkynyl; R 4 is hydrogen, formyl, acyl, lower alkyl or substituted lower alkyl; R 5 is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl or halogen; and R 6 is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl or halogen.

29. An activator according to claim 28, wherein "RI" of Formula I is: or wherein: Y is or n is 0 or 1, each R" is independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, thioalkyl, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, amino, carboxyl, carbamate, sulfonyl or sulfonamide, is hydrogen, lower alkyl or substituted alkyl, m falls in the range of 1 up to 15, each m' falls independently in the range of 1 up to 8, each min" falls independently in the range of 0 up to 12, and Z is a heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety, a substituted heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety, *cyano, nitro, amino, carbamate, -ORa, wherein Ra is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyl or S 20 aryl; -C(0)Rb, wherein Rb is H, alkyl, substituted alcyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aryloxy, arylamino, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic or 25 trifluoromethyl; -C0 2 R, wherein Rc is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aryl; -SRa, -S(0)Ra, -S(0) 2 Ra or -S(0) 2 NHRa, wherein each Ra is as defined above.. An activator according to claifn29, wherein Z is a polyheteroatom-containing cyclic moiety or a substituted polyheteroatom-containing cyclic moiety.

31. An activator according to claim 29, wherein Z is a furan, thiophene, pyrrole, pyrazole, diazole, triazole, tetrazole, dithiole, oxathiole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, dioxazole, oxathiazole, pyran, pyrone, dioxin, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, diazine, triazine, oxazine, isoxazine, oxathiazine, oxadiazine, morpholino, azepin, oxepin, thiopin, diazepin, benzothiazole or a thiazolidinedione. [I:\DAYLIB\LIBFF]06849Aspec.doc:gcc 24

32. An activator according to claim 29, wherein Z is a pyrazole, diazole, triazole, tetrazole, dithiole, oxathiole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, dioxazole, oxathiazole, pyridazine, piperazine, diazine, triazine, oxazine, isoxazine, oxathiazine, oxadiazine, morpholine, diazepin or a thiazolidinedione.

33. An activator according to claim 28, wherein "Ri" of Formula I is: -Y,-(CH 2 wherein: Y is or n is 0 or 1, x falls in the range of 2 up to 12; and Z is a triazolyl moiety, a tetrazolyl moiety, an oxadiazolyl moiety, an oxatriazolyl moiety, a dioxazolyl moiety, an oxathiazolyl moiety, a triazinyl moiety, an isoxazinyl moiety, an oxathiazinyl moiety, an oxadiazinyl moiety, or a thiazolidinedionyl moiety.

34. An activator according to any one of claims 2 or 28-33, wherein said therapeutic composition further comprises at least one retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist. An activator according to claim 34, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is a substituted benzoic acid or derivative thereof, a substituted nicotinic acid or derivative thereof or a substituted carboxylated furan.

36. An activator according to claim 34, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is 6-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2- yl)cyclopropyl]nicotinic acid (LG268).

37. An activator according to claim 34, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) 20 selective agonist is 4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethy-5, 6 7 ,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethenyl] benzoic acid. SO S S SO 0* S. '5 5

38. The use according to claim 3, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are cancerous breast cells.

39. The use according to claim 3, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are 25 myelogenous leukemia cells. The use according to claim 3, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are cancerous colon cells.

41. The use according to claim 3, wherein said cells which express PPAR-y are cancerous prostate cells.

42. The use according to claim 3, wherein said PPAR-y activator is a PPAR-y- selective prostaglandin or prostaglandin like compound or precursor thereof.

43. The use according to claim 42, wherein said PPAR-y-selective prostaglandin is a prostaglandin-J 2 a prostaglandiri-D 2 or a precursor thereof. tI:\DAYLIB\LBFF]06849Aspec.doc:gcc

44. The use according to claim 43, wherein said prostaglandin-J 2 is prostaglandin- J 2 A1 2 -prostaglandin-J 2 or 15-deoxy-A' 2 ,14-prostaglandin-J2- The use according to claim 3, wherein said PPAR-y activator has the structure I, wherein structure I is as follows: R3 I R2- x, R4 R 2 RP (I) wherein: each of X 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5 and X 6 is independently carbon, nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, with the proviso that at least three of the atoms forming the ring are carbon, R 1 is alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted o alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, poly (alkylene oxide), substituted poly(alkylene oxide), poly(alkylene sulfide), substituted poly(alkylene sulfide), poly(alkylene amine), substituted poly(alkylene amine), -OR, -SR or -NR 2 wherein each R is independently alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, is alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, poly(alkylene oxide), substituted poly(alkylene oxide), poly(alkylene sulfide), substituted poly(alkylene sulfide), poly(alkylene amine) or substituted poly(alkylene amine); R 2 is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, oxyalkyl, poly(alkylene oxide) or substituted poly(alkylene oxide); R 3 is hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl or substiuted alkynyl; R 4 is hydrogen, formyl, acyl, lower alkyl or substituted lower alkyl; R 5 is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower *alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl or halogen; and R 6 is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl or halogen.

46. The use according to claim 45, wherein "RI" of Formula I is: -Yn-(CR"R")m-Z, or wherein: Y is or [1:\DAYLIB\IBFF]06849As ec.docgcc 26 n is 0 or 1, each R" is independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, thioalkyl, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, amino, carboxyl, carbamate, sulfonyl or sulfonamide, is hydrogen, lower alkyl or substituted alkyl, m falls in the range of 1 up to 15, each m' falls independently in the range of 1 up to 8, each min" falls independently in the range of 0 up to 12, and Z is a heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety, a substituted heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety, cyano, nitro, amino, carbamate, -ORa, wherein Ra is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyl or aryl; -C(O)Rb, wherein Rb is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aryloxy, arylamino, alkylaryl, substituted to alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic or trifluoromethyl; -CO 2 Rc, wherein RC is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aryl; -SRa, -S(O)Ra, -S(0) 2 Ra or -S(0) 2 NHRa wherein each Ra is as defined above.

47. The use according to claim 46, wherein Z is a polyheteroatom-containing cyclic moiety or a substituted polyheteroatom-containing cyclic moiety.

48. The use according to claim 46, wherein Z is a furan, thiophene, pyrrole, pyrazole, diazole, triazole, tetrazole, dithiole, oxathiole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, Sisothiazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, dioxazole, oxathiazole, pyran, pyrone, dioxin, 20 pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, diazine, triazine, oxazine, isoxazine, oxathiazine, oxadiazine, morpholino, azepin, oxepin, thiopin, diazepin, *46 benzothiazole or a thiazolidinedione.

49. The use according to claim 46, wherein Z is a pyrazole, diazole, triazole, tetrazole, dithiole, oxathiole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, oxadiazole, 25 oxatriazole, dioxazole, oxathiazole, pyridazine, piperazine, diazine, triazine, oxazine, i: soxazine, oxathiazine, oxadiazine, morpholine, diazepin or a thiazolidinedione.

50. The use according to claim 45, wherein "RI" of Formila.I is: -Yn-(CH 2 )x-Z, wherein: Y is or n is 0 or 1, x falls in the range of 2 up to 12; and Z is a triazolyl moiety, a tetrazolyl moiety, an oxadiazolyl moiety, an oxatriazolyl moiety, a dioxazolyl moiety, an oxathiazolyl moiety, a triazinyl moiety, an isoxazinyl moiety, an oxathiazinyl moiety, an oxadiazinyl moiety, or a thiazolidinedionyl moiety.

51. The use according to any one of claims 3 or 38-50, wherein said therapeutic composition further comprises at least one retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist. [I:\DAYLIB\LIBFF]06849Aspec.docgcc I I 27

52. The use according to claim 51, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is a substituted benzoic acid or derivative thereof, a substituted nicotinic acid or derivative thereof or a substituted carboxylated furan.

53. The use according to claim 51, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is 6-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)- cyclopropyl]nicotinic acid (LG268).

54. The use according to claim 51, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is 4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethy-5, 6 7 ,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)ethenyl] benzoic acid.

55. A method for modulating growth at neoplastic cells, wherein said growth is mediated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-y) said method comprising contacting said cells with a composition effective to modulate said growth, wherein said composition comprises at least one PPAR-y activator in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor.

56. A method according to claim 55, wherein said composition further comprises at least one retinoid x receptor (RXR) selective agonist.

57. A method according to claim 56, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is a substituted benzoic acid or derivative thereof, a substituted nicotinic acid or derivative thereof or a substituted carboxylated furan. 20 58. A method according to claim 56, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is 6-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl) cyclopropyl] nicotinic acid (LG268).

59. A method according to claim 56, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is 4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)- ethenyl] benzoic acid.

60. A method according to claim 55, wherein said neoplastic cells are cancerous breast cells, myelogenous leukemia cells, cancerous colon cells or cancerous prostate S: cells.

61. A composition comprising at least one PPAR-y-selective activator and at least one retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist.

62. A composition according to claim 61, wherein said PPAR-y-selective activator is a prostaglandin or prostaglandin-like compound, or precursor thereof. S63. A composition according to claim 62, wherein said PPAR-y-selective z activator is a prostaglandin-J 2 a prostaglandin-D 2 or a precursor thereof. P:\DAYLIB\LIBFF]06849Aspec.doc gcc S*I" 28

64. A composition according to claim 63, wherein said prostaglandin-J 2 is prostaglandin-J 2 A2-prostaglandin-J 2 or 15-deoxy-Al2'4-prostaglandin-J 2 A composition according to claim 61, wherein said PPAR-y activator has the structure I, wherein structure I is as follows: R 3 I R 2 ^V R wherein: each of X 1 X 2 X 3 X 4 X 5 and X 6 is independently carbon, nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, with the proviso that at least three of the atoms forming the ring are carbon, R 1 is alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted 0o alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, poly (alkylene oxide), substituted poly(alkylene oxide), poly(alkylene sulfide), substituted poly(alkylene sulfide), poly(alkylene amine), substituted poly(alkylene amine), -OR, -SR or -NR 2 wherein each R is independently alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, :s 15 alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, poly(alkylene oxide), substituted poly(alkylene oxide), poly(alkylene sulfide), substituted poly(alkylene sulfide), poly(alkylene amine) or substituted poly(alkylene amine); R 2 is hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, oxyalkyl, poly(alkylene oxide) or substituted poly(alkylene oxide); R 3 is hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl or substituted alkynyl; R4 is hydrogen, 25 formyl, acyl, lower alkyl or substituted lower alkyl; R 5 is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl or halogen; and R 6 is hydrogen, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl or halogen. S66. A composition according to claim 65, wherein of Formula I is: or l :\DAYLIB\LIBFF106849Aspec.doc: cc t 4 I 29 wherein Y is or n is 0 or 1, each R" is independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, thioalkyl, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, amino, carboxyl, carbamate, sulfonyl or sulfonamide, is hydrogen, lower alkyl or substituted alkyl, m falls in the range of 1 up to 15, each m' falls independently in the range of 1 up to 8, each min" falls independently in the range of 0 up to 12, and Z is a heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety, a substituted heteroatom-containing cyclic moiety, cyano, nitro, amino, carbamate, -ORa, wherein Ra is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyl or aryl; -C(O)Rb, wherein Rb is H, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, alkylamino, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substituted aryl, aryloxy, arylamino, alkylaryl, substituted alkylaryl, alkenylaryl, substituted alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, substituted alkynylaryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, substituted arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, substituted arylalkynyl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic or trifluoromethyl; -CO 2 Rc, wherein RC is H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aryl; -SRa, -S(0)Ra, -S(0) 2 Ra or -S(0) 2 NHRa, wherein each Ra is as defined above.

67. A composition according to claim 66, wherein Z is a polyheteroatom- containing cyclic moiety or a substituted polyheteroatom-containing cyclic moiety.

68. A composition according to claim 66, wherein Z is a furan, thiophene, pyrrole, pyrazole, diazole, triazole, tetrazole, dithiole, oxathiole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, *isothiazole, oxadiazole, oxatriazole, dioxazole, oxathiazole, pyran, pyrone, dioxin, pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, piperazine, diazine, triazine, oxazine, isoxazine, oxathiazine, oxadiazine, morpholino, azepin, oxepin, thiopin, diazepin, benzothiazole or a thiazolidinedione.

69. A composition according to claim 66, wherein Z is a pyrazole, diazole, triazole, tetrazole, dithiole, oxathiole, oxazole, isoxazole, thiazole, isothiazole, S 25 oxadiazole, oxatriazole, dioxazole, oxathiazole, pyridazine, piperazine, diazine, triazine, oxazine, isoxazine, oxathiazine, oxadiazine, morpholine, diazepin or a thiazolidinedione.

70. A composition according to claim 65, wherein "RI" of Formula I is: -Yn-(CH 2 wherein: Y is or n is 0 or 1, x falls in the range of 2 up to 12; and *sop.: Z is a triazolyl moiety, a tetrazolyl moiety, an oxadiazolyl moiety, an oxatriazolyl moiety, a dioxazolyl moiety, an oxathiazolyl moiety, a triazinyl moiety, an isoxazinyl moiety, an oxathiazinyl moiety, an oxadiazinyl moiety, or a thiazolidinedionyl moiety.

71. A composition according to claim 61, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) -RA< selective agonist is a substituted benzoic acid or derivative thereof, a substituted nicotinic C* acid or derivative thereof or a substituted carboxylated furan. [I:\DAYLIB\LIBFF]06849Aspec.doc:zcc I-

72. A composition according to claim 71, wherein said retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist is [1I ,8,8-pentamethyl-5 6 7 ,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2. yl)cyclopropyl]nicotinic acid (LG268).

73. A composition according to claim 7 1, wherein said retinoid x receptor (RXR) selective agonist is 1-(3,5,5,8 ,8-pentamethyl-5 6 7 8 -tetrahydronaphthalen.2 yl)ethenyl] benzoic acid.

74. A pharmaceutical composition, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. A composition comprising at least one PPAR-7-selective activator and at least one retinoid X receptor (RXR) selective agonist, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. Dated 15 June, 2001 The Salk Institute For Biological Studies Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [1:\DAYLIB\LIBFF1O6849As ~ec.doc:ecc