The present invention relates to small molecule antagonists of Bcl-2 family proteins such as Bcl-2 and/or Bcl-X
L
. In particular, the present invention provides non-peptide cell permeable small molecules (e.g., tricyclo-dibenzo-diazocine-dioxides) that bind to a pocket in Bcl-2/Bcl-X
L
that block the anti-apoptotic function of these proteins in cancer cells and tumor tissues exhibiting Bcl-2 protein overexpression. In preferred embodiments, the small molecules of the present invention are active at the BH3 binding pocket of Bcl-2 family proteins (e.g., Bcl-2, Bcl-X
L
, and Mcl-1). The compositions and methods of the present invention are useful therapeutics for cancerous diseases either alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic or other drugs.
本发明涉及Bcl-2家族蛋白质的小分子拮抗剂,例如Bcl-2和/或Bcl-XL。特别地,本发明提供非肽细胞渗透小分子(例如
三环二苯并二氮杂环二氧化物),它们结合到Bcl-2/Bcl-XL中的一个口袋,阻止这些蛋白质在癌细胞和表达Bcl-2蛋白质过度的肿瘤组织中的抗凋亡功能。在优选实施例中,本发明的小分子在Bcl-2家族蛋白质(例如Bcl-2、Bcl-XL和Mcl-1)的
BH3结合口袋中活性。本发明的组合物和方法可作为治疗癌症疾病的有用治疗剂,单独使用或与化疗或其他药物联合使用。