Methods of treatment using lamellarin-class alkaloids

Abstract

The lamellarin compounds disclosed herein have been found to be inhibitors of MDR, i.e., acquired multidrug resistance, which has become a major problem in the treatment of various cancers. The lamellarin compounds disclosed herein have also been found to be cytotoxic to MDR cells. MDR is believed to be associated with certain alterations in tumor cells, including an over-expression of a certain high molecular weight membrane glycoprotein and a decrease in the ability of the tumor cell to accumulate and retain chemotherapeutic agents. The present invention is thus directed to methods of treating MDR-type tumors with an effective anti-MDR amount (either inhibitory or cytotoxic) of one or more lamellarin compounds, which compounds have been found to be effective antitumoral agents against MDR cells.