Inventors:
AXEL H. SCHONTHAL - LOS ANGELES CA, US
NICOS A. PETASIS - HACIENDA HEIGHTS CA, US
FLORENCE M. HOFMAN - VENICE CA, US
STAN G. LOUIE - FULLERTON CA, US
THOMAS C. CHEN - LA CANADA CA, US
Assignee:
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - LOS ANGELES CA
International Classification:
A61K 31/415
A61K 31/69
A61K 31/472
A61K 31/4418
A61K 31/427
A61K 31/496
A61K 31/7105
C40B 30/00
A61P 35/00
US Classification:
514 44, 514406, 514 64, 514307, 514357, 514365, 51425309, 506 7
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis in selected cells by aggravating ER-stress. The aggravation of ER-stress is achieved in a specific manner by inhibiting SERCA (sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase), leading to elevated level of cytoplasmic calcium concentration, yet without inhibiting the activity of COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) or triggering the release of histamine. Induction of apoptosis may be enhanced by first inducing or further aggravating ER-stress through inhibition of proteasome or proteases. Also provided are compounds and compositions useful as ER-stress aggravating agents, methods for screening, selecting, identifying and designing the same and methods for treating diseased conditions by inducing apoptosis through specific and selective aggravation of ER-stress.