The Texas A&m University System

Sanford-burnham Medical Research Institute

Burnham Institute for Medical Research

Vikram C Purohit

Daniel Romo

Jeffrey W Smith

Steven J Kridel

Fumiko Axelrod

Gil Ma

Apurba Bhattacharya

Seongho Oh

Gaurang L Parmar

Huda Henry-Riyad

Nitin C Patel

Changsuk Lee

Henry Nguyen

The present invention features methods of treating a cancer in a subject by administering an effective amount of a beta-lactone to the subject. The invention also features methods of inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject by administering an effective amount of an inhibitor of fatty acid synthase to the subject. These methods can be used to treat a variety of cancers and other diseases and conditions. The invention also features methods of identifying beta-lactones and other compounds that can be used in the methods of the invention for the treatment of tumors, inhibition of angiogenesis, and the treatment of diseases and conditions that involve pathological angiogenesis. The invention also features methods of synthesizing beta-lactones and features novel beta-lactone compounds.

Method for the asymmetric synthesis of beta-lactone compounds

The present invention provides a concise synthetic method for generating lactam-fused beta-lactones that feature, in some embodiments, a tertiary fused carbinol, quaternary carbons, and a reactive beta-lactone moiety available for further reactions. The present invention further provides compounds synthesized by this method as well as methods of using these compounds as inhibitors of the proteasome and fatty acid synthase.

Cyclic-fused beta-lactones and their synthesis

A process of producing organic compounds, such as acetaminophen, nitroalcohols and indoles, employs a catalyst system of an oxyethylene ether and a metal containing inorganic or organic reagent. The oxyethylene ether at least partially complexes the metal of the inorganic or organic reagent. As such, the reactions may be conducted neat. The processes are environmentally friendly and operationally simple.

Method of producing organic compounds in presence of oxyethylene ether catalyst and in a solvent minimized environment

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Bryan, TX, United States of America

Vikram C Purohit